Causes and risk factors

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown, but it is known that the male sex hormone testosterone is needed for prostate cancer to develop. A number of other factors will probably have to interact, but exactly what and how is not clear.

Globally, there are large differences in the prevalence of prostate cancer. This suggests that lifestyle factors and heredity play a role. The composition of the diet seems to have some significance, but it is not clear exactly which foods increase or decrease the risk. It is estimated that only a few percent of all prostate cancers are hereditary. How fast the cancer grows varies from person to person. In some men, the cancer may grow slowly, while in others, it may grow faster.