What is cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the cells in the body. The body is made up from millions of tiny cells. There are many different types of cell in the body, and there are many different types of cancer which arise from different types of cell. What all types of cancer have in common is that the cancer cells are abnormal and multiply 'out of control'.
A malignant tumour is a 'lump' or 'growth' of tissue made up from cancer cells which continue to multiply. Malignant tumours invade into nearby tissues and organs which can cause damage.
Malignant tumours may also spread to other parts of the body. This happens if some cells break off from the first (primary) tumour and are carried in the bloodstream or lymph channels to other parts of the body. These small groups of cells may then multiply to form 'secondary' tumours (metastases) in one or more parts of the body. These secondary tumours may then grow, invade and damage nearby tissues, and spread again.
Some cancers are more serious than others, some are more easily treated than others (particularly if diagnosed at an early stage), some have a better outlook (prognosis) than others.
So, cancer is not just one condition. In each case it is important to know exactly what type of cancer has developed, how large it has become, and whether it has spread. This will enable you to get reliable information on treatment options and outlook. See separate leaflet called 'What are Cancer and Tumours' for further details about cancer in general.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a cancer which develops from cells in the prostate
gland. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Each year, about
35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK. It affects
about 1 in 12 men in the UK at some point in their life. Most cases
develop in men over the age of 65.
Prostate cancer is
different to most other cancers because small areas of cancer within
the prostate are actually very common, especially in older men. These
may not grow or cause any problems for many years (if at all).
What causes prostate cancer?
A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. (See separate leaflet called 'What Causes Cancer' for more details.)
Although the exact cause is unclear, certain 'risk factors' increase the chance that prostate cancer may develop. These include:
- Ageing. Most cases are diagnosed in older men.
- Family history and genetic factors. If your father or brother had prostate cancer at a relatively early age (before they were 60) then you have an increased risk. Prostate cancer is more common in black men than white men. Also, if the type of breast cancer which is linked to a faulty gene runs in your female relatives, then you are at increased risk. These factors point towards a 'faulty gene' which may occur in some men which increases their risk of developing prostate cancer.
- Diet is possibly a risk factor. As with other cancers, a diet high in fats and low in fruit and vegetables may increase the risk.
- Exposure to the metal cadmium may be a risk.
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