By the age of 75, one man in seven will develop prostate cancer. No one knows exactly what causes some men to develop prostate cancer while other men don't. But as you grow older, your chance of having a diagnosis of prostate cancer increases. The average age of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in America is still over 60, though incidence of this disease have been seen in men in their twenties as well as nineties.
Prostate cancer is also much more common in certain ethnic groups.
For example, African-American men are about thirty three percent more likely to develop this type of cancer than Caucasian men. But despite the inevitable age and ethnic-specific factors that are linked to prostate cancer, there are some steps men can take to help avoid the disease. Studies show that being overweight increases the incidence of prostate cancer. Moderately overweight men have more than double the risk, while obese men are four times more likely to develop the disease. High-fat diets have been linked to studies that show men with prostate cancer consume more meat and dairy products.