Prostate cancer, as the name suggests, is a type of cancer that appears in the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland, which is located beneath the bladder. It is one of the major health concerns for men. Moreover, more cases of prostate cancer have been seen in the country as compared to other parts of the world. Many things can increase your chances of acquiring a disease like cancer. However, if one has these risk factors, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they may develop the disease.

For instance, patients may or may not develop cancer at all. But, it is always a great idea to be aware of the risk factors, so that you can make modifications to your lifestyle or make informed choices.

Here are some of the most common prostate cancer risk factors:

1. Age
It has been reported that prostate cancer affects most men after the age of 40; it is rarely seen in men younger than 40 years. The chances of developing prostate cancer rapidly increase after a person has reached the age of 50. Going by the numbers, 6 out of 10 cases of prostate cancer (approximately 60%) have occurred in men who were 65 years or older. With that being said, it has also been reported that prostate cancer becomes less aggressive if it appears after 65 years of age.

2. Family history
This is yet another unavoidable prostate cancer risk factor. If you have had cases of prostate cancer in your family, you should get yourself screened after the age of 40. Moreover, you should be more alert if your immediate family has had this condition. For example, having a brother who has prostate cancer makes it plausible for you to have prostate cancer too. Also, men who have multiple members of their family affected by prostate cancer are at higher risk.

3. Exposure to agent orange
Agent Orange was a chemical that was used during the Vietnam war. It was capable of spreading many types of health problems, including cancer. It has been listed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a cause of prostate cancer. So, if you are a veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange, you should get yourself screened in order to get the required treatment on time.

4. Dietary factors
Although the exact role of dietary factors in prostate cancer has not yet been established, these things do play a significant role. For instance, studies have shown that men who consume a significant amount of red meat or high-fat dairy products are slightly more vulnerable to the risks of developing prostate cancer. This is the same for men who consume fewer vegetables and fruits and those who consume a lot of food supplements rich in calcium.

Although, the disease cannot be completely prevented, changes can be made in one’s lifestyle to lower the risk factors of prostate cancer. If you find having certain symptoms of prostate cancer, you should immediately consult your doctor and get yourself screened without any further delay.