Socio-demographic and Lifestyle Factors Related with the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Carcinoma of prostate is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men in
developed countries. Incidence rate among African-Americans is highest (185.4 per 100,000) in
the world followed by Caucasian-Americans (107.8 per 100,000). Despite high morbidity and
mortality, etiology of prostate cancer remains largely unknown. Advancing age, race and family
history are the only established risk factors. However, racial and genetic factors alone cannot
explain the wide international variation in disease distribution. The objective of this review was to
summarize socio-demographic and lifestyle factors in relation to prostate cancer risk. A
systematic search was conducted including articles published in peer reviewed journals indexed
in MEDLINE/ Pub Med database. Prostate cancer incidence was found to be proportional to
increasing urbanization and rise in socioeconomic status. Factors associated with increased
prostate cancer risk include raised androgens levels, high saturated fat in diet, reduced physical
activity, obesity, smoking and working as farmer. Pattern of prostate cancer incidence and
mortality suggests that both genetic and environmental factors contribute towards an excess risk
of disease; nevertheless, environmental and life-style factors, especially trend of urbanization
and change in socioeconomic status may have accrued the prostate cancer risk in developing
countries