Getting closer to the causes of prostate cancer

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian males, with one in five men at risk of developing the disease before the age of 85. While the causes of prostate cancer are poorly understood and more research into the exact mechanisms of prostate cancer development is needed, we do know that hormonal factors appear to be important in the initiation of this disease. A number of risk factors, such as obesity and sexual activity, are associated with hormonal activity, so the team has set out to explore whether hormonal changes earlier in life may be associated with a later risk of prostate cancer.

The study drew on data from the Cancer, Lifestyle and Evaluation of Risk (CLEAR) study – an all incident cancer case-control study of NSW residents aged 18 years and over. Nearly 2,000 CLEAR participants were included in this specific study, providing important insight into prostate cancer risk factors across NSW.

The research

• The team identified factors that appear to double the risk of prostate cancer, such as having a father with a history of prostate cancer, a previous diagnosis of prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia, and the number of sexual partners in a lifetime.
• Being overweight or obese was also associated with increased risk, but to a lesser extent. The impact of obesity on the risk of developing prostate cancer is a growing concern, with 70% of Australian men currently being overweight or obese.
• No association was found between prostate cancer and certain suspected risk factors such as circumcision, vasectomy, vertex balding, erectile function, acne, asthma or diabetes.