Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men. It affects the prostate gland, which is a small, walnut-shaped gland located just below the bladder. The gland produces a fluid that forms part of the semen.

Prostate cancer develops when the cells in the gland grow uncontrollably.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

The exact cause of prostate cancer is not known yet. However, certain factors increase a man’s risk of developing the disease. Some of these risk factors include:.

Age: Prostate cancer occurs more frequently in older men. About six in ten cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older.
Family history: If a man’s father, brother, or son has had prostate cancer, he is more likely to develop the disease too.
Ethnicity: African-American men and Jamaican men of African descent are more likely to develop prostate cancer than men of other ethnicities.
Diet: Eating a diet high in red meat and saturated fats may increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese may increase a man’s risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.
Smoking: Smoking cigarettes increases a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.

Delayed Sexual Development and Prostate Cancer Risk

According to several studies, boys who experience delayed sexual development may have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Delayed sexual development signifies that a boy’s physical maturity is behind his peers, with fewer signs of puberty, such as facial hair and deepening of the voice.

In a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, researchers found that men with a history of delayed sexual development were more likely to have aggressive prostate cancer.

The study involved over 1,500 men, and it found that the men who had a history of delayed sexual development had a 30% higher chance of having aggressive prostate cancer than men without such a history.

The mechanism behind this association is not known yet. However, the researchers propose that delayed sexual development may be indicative of a hormonal imbalance during puberty, which may, in turn, increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The Role of Hormones in Prostate Cancer

The prostate gland is sensitive to hormones, particularly testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These hormones control the growth and function of the gland.

Therefore, abnormalities in hormone production or function may lead to the development of prostate cancer.

Testosterone is produced mainly by the testicles, while DHT is produced from testosterone by the prostate gland. High levels of testosterone or DHT may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Similarly, low levels of testosterone may play a role in the development of prostate cancer.

Treatment for Prostate Cancer

The treatment of prostate cancer depends on how advanced the cancer is and how quickly it is growing. Treatment options include:.

Active surveillance: This is an option for men with early-stage prostate cancer. The cancer is carefully monitored to see if it is growing, and treatment is only started if the cancer starts to grow.
Surgery: This involves removing the prostate gland. It is an option for men with early-stage prostate cancer.
Radiation therapy: This uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It is an option for men with early-stage prostate cancer and some men with advanced prostate cancer.
Hormone therapy: This involves reducing the levels of testosterone in the body or blocking the effects of testosterone on the cancer cells. It may slow down the growth of advanced prostate cancer.
Chemotherapy: This involves using drugs to kill cancer cells. It is an option for men with advanced prostate cancer.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer is a common cancer in men. Age, family history, ethnicity, diet, obesity, and smoking are some of the risk factors for the disease. Delayed sexual development in boys may also increase the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer.

Hormonal imbalances during puberty may play a role in this association.

The treatment of prostate cancer depends on the stage of the cancer and how quickly it is growing. Treatment options include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.