The month of November is that of the fight against prostate cancer, with the Movember movement: the opportunity to take stock of this disease and its main risk factors.
- The Movember movement raises awareness about prostate cancer in men.
- Every year, more than 71,000 men are affected by this cancer and there are 8,870 deaths due to this disease.
- The main risk factors are age, family history, genetic predisposition, ethnicity, diet and exposure to pesticides.
After Pink October, the month of November is dedicated to the fight against prostate cancer with the Movember movement which invites people to grow a mustache to raise awareness of this disease among the general public. According to League against cancer, each year, more than 71,000 men are affected by this cancer and there are 8,870 deaths. It thus represents 25% of male cancers, according to the 2022 edition of the Panorama of cancers in France. One way to keep prostate cancer at bay is to know the risk factors and get screened when needed.
Prostate cancer: the 3 main risk factors
Indeed, some men are more exposed to prostate cancer. If the disease is rare before the age of 50, its incidence increases gradually with age. It is also the main risk factor for the development of the pathology. The median age of diagnosis is 68 years and the number of cases diagnosed is highest at age 70.
Other risk factors: family history and genetic predisposition, including two genetic mutations, HOXB13 and BRCA2, which are associated with prostate cancer. Depending on these two risk factors, there are different forms of cancer:
- Non-hereditary (known as sporadic form) which is the most widespread form.
- Family form (at least two cases in the first: father, brother) or second degree (grandfather, uncle), which represents 20% of cases.
- Hereditary form (at least three cases of the first or second degree, or two family members diagnosed before the age of 55), which represents 5% of prostate cancers.
Ethnic origin is the 3rd risk factor. Certain populations are, in fact, more at risk of developing prostate cancer. According to the Vidalthis disease is more common in men of African origin as well as Afro-CaribbeanNorthern Europeans and North Americans.
Prostate: diet and exposure to pesticides in question
If the first 3 factors are proven risks, scientific studies have also highlighted other elements that can play a role in the development of malignant tumors in the prostate.
Work published in the specialized journal Nutrients shows that a diet rich in sugars exposes you to a higher risk of prostate cancer, often in a more aggressive form.
But for the Cancer Research Foundation (ARC), there would be other harmful eating habits as well: a significant consumption of saturated and animal fats (such as cheese, butter, cream, etc.), an intake insufficient daily intake of fruits and vegetables, obesity and “Fat storage in the abdomen is suspected of being associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer”.
Finally, another element pointed out by numerous researches: exposure to pesticides. Since 2021, this cancer has even been recognized as an occupational disease. The National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) concluded that there was a probable link between exposure to pesticides – particularly chlordecone – and the occurrence of prostate cancer.
There are therefore several risk factors for this cancer, but it remains “good, even very good prognosis, with a high 5-year survival rate”, of the order of 93% according to the 2022 edition of the Panorama of cancers in France.
