PROSTATE CANCER CAUSES

The cause of prostate cancer is not known. A small percentage - 5-10 percent - are hereditary. These cancers run in families and are caused by mutations in one of the genes. Men who have first degree relatives (father or brother) presenting with prostate cancer under the age of 65 years have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer compared to the general population. There is also a link between women with familial breast cancer and the development of prostate cancer in male family members.

Prostate cancer may cause prostate enlargement, and its associated symptoms. It is often through the discomforting symptoms of prostate enlargement that prostate cancer is detected

Initially, the cancer will be localised to the prostate, but later the cancer may spread to surrounding tissues and to other parts of the body (metastases), particularly to bones such as the lower back.