Prostate cancer is a kind of cancer that starts in the prostate gland, a part of the male reproductive system. It is the most common kind of cancer in men. Most of the time, cancer that starts in the prostate grows slowly. However, certain kinds of prostate cancer can grow quickly and spread outside the prostate. Understanding the risk factors for the disease can help caregivers to know whether their older family member should be more closely monitored for it.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Unfortunately, doctors don’t yet know what causes some men to develop prostate cancer. They do know that, in general, cancer begins when the DNA in cells changes causing them to grow very quickly and live longer than they should. These abnormal cells accumulate and tumor forms.
Though the reason prostate cancer begins isn’t known, doctors have identified some risk factors that increase the chances of getting the disease. Some of the risk factors for prostate cancer are:
- Getting Older: Simply being older puts elderly men at greater risk for the disease.
- Race: Scientists don’t know why, but black men have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer. In addition, they are more likely to have aggressive forms of it.
- Heredity: Men with close relatives who had prostate cancer are at higher risk. Also, men who come from families that have the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2, which increase the risk of breast cancer, are also more likely to develop prostate cancer.
- Obesity: Men who are obese are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer when it reaches later stages, making it harder to treat.
If your older family member is at a higher risk for prostate cancer, they should talk to their doctor. There are medications and other kinds of treatments that can lower their risk.
Preventing Prostate Cancer
The good news about prostate cancer is that you can help your older family member to reduce their risk of getting it just by taking steps that help them be healthier overall. And, a senior care provider can assist them with taking the necessary steps. Senior care providers can cook healthy meals that contain lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Healthy meals like these tend to be lower in calorie, so they may also help the senior to lose weight. Senior care providers can also assist your loved one in being more physically active by going for walks with them, helping them to do activities at home, or driving them to an exercise class.
Sources
https://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20190912/what-is-your-risk-for-prostate-cancer
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Red Lodge, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
