Print ArticleAs men grow older, their risk of acquiring prostate cancer increases. Approximately 80% of men over the age of 80 years will develop prostate cancer.
But are there physical or lifestyle differences between those men who get prostate cancer and those who don´t?
Researchers from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine studied the relationship between high cholesterol and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In a case-controlled hospital-based study, they examined 312 white men, age 50 to 74 years, with confirmed prostate cancer, and compared them with a matched sample of 319 normal white men as controls.
They found that high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) was associated with a significant 58% increased risk of prostate cancer, after adjusting for age, family history, BMI (body mass index), type 2 diabetes, multivitamin use, and smoking.
Low levels of HDL or "good cholesterol" was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, and high levels of LDL or "bad cholesterol" showed a 60% increased risk of prostate cancer.
Smoking was an even more significant risk factor. Compared to men who had never smoked, current smokers showed an 84% greater risk of confirmed prostate cancer.
This study was published in Cancer Causes and Control, August 2008.
As with all cancers, the best hope for prostate cancer prevention is early detection.
Early detection by health care professionals gives patients the greatest range of treatment options that can be customized to their situation.
Men who are at higher risk should consult with their doctors more frequently, including those over the age of 55, those with a family history of prostate cancer, and African-American men.
Since other health conditions and lifestyle habits have been shown to increase cancer risk, having a complete physical on a regular basis is important.
You can learn about research showing lifestyle habits with up to 90% risk reduction of prostate cancer here.
But are there physical or lifestyle differences between those men who get prostate cancer and those who don´t?
Researchers from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine studied the relationship between high cholesterol and an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In a case-controlled hospital-based study, they examined 312 white men, age 50 to 74 years, with confirmed prostate cancer, and compared them with a matched sample of 319 normal white men as controls.
They found that high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) was associated with a significant 58% increased risk of prostate cancer, after adjusting for age, family history, BMI (body mass index), type 2 diabetes, multivitamin use, and smoking.
Low levels of HDL or "good cholesterol" was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, and high levels of LDL or "bad cholesterol" showed a 60% increased risk of prostate cancer.
Smoking was an even more significant risk factor. Compared to men who had never smoked, current smokers showed an 84% greater risk of confirmed prostate cancer.
This study was published in Cancer Causes and Control, August 2008.
As with all cancers, the best hope for prostate cancer prevention is early detection.
Early detection by health care professionals gives patients the greatest range of treatment options that can be customized to their situation.
Men who are at higher risk should consult with their doctors more frequently, including those over the age of 55, those with a family history of prostate cancer, and African-American men.
Since other health conditions and lifestyle habits have been shown to increase cancer risk, having a complete physical on a regular basis is important.
You can learn about research showing lifestyle habits with up to 90% risk reduction of prostate cancer here.
view author's RSS feed
