Disease Paper

Submitted By mbeelen
Words: 702
Pages: 3
Open Document
The Risk Factors, Causes and Preventative Interventions of Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer is a slow progressing cancer occurring in males, which usually starts in the gland cells of the prostate (PCFA 2013). There is no direct cause for prostate cancer, although a number of risk factors have been identified (Kirby and Madhavan 2010). Genetic mutations are a cause for tumours, although it is based on the risk factors that allow for these genetic mutations to occur. (Gann 2002). The causes based on risk factors can be categorized under genetics and environmental factors (Gann 2002). Family history plays a large effect on whether a man will develop prostate cancer, as there is a two-fold increase in the risk of prostate cancer for men with a 1st-degree relative who has been diagnosed (Kurby and Madhavan 2010). An increased risk has also been suggested for men with a family history of breast cancer (Kurby and Madhavan 2010). There are 29 genes that have been linked to prostate cancer susceptibility (Kurby and Madhavan 2010). Age is also a strong predetermining risk factor (Gann 2002). Men over the age of 65 have an incidence risk which increases by over three times (Kurby and Madhavan 2010). Weight, physical inactivity and diet also increase the risk of developing prostate cancer (Pienta and Esper 1993). The amount of dietary fat consumed has a large increase on the development, as well as a diet rich in dairy products and red meat Kurby and Madhavan 2010). There has been research which has suggested that saturated fat, commonly found in processed foods, whole-milk dairy products, and fatty cuts of meat, increases the production of the hormone testosterone that may be linked to the growth of prostate cancer cells (Pienta and Esper 1993). It has been researched that an intake of certain levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids will increase the risk of development of prostate cancer (Chavarro et al. 2007). For example, polyunsaturated fatty acids with blood levels of 18:3n-6 enhanced tumours with clinically aggressive behaviour (Chavarro et al. 2007). Lastly, the risk also increases based on race, where men of African-American descent have an increased risk of 60% over European-American men (Gann 2002). Today, North America has the highest risk of prostate cancer (Prostate Cancer Prevention 2013). Just as other diseases have ways to reduce susceptibility, prostate cancer does as well. It has been researched that men with a diet high in fibre have a lower development of prostate cancer (Pienta and Esper 1993). There have also been studies that have indicated that Vitamin D may protect against prostate cancer (Kurby and Madhavan 2010). It has also been proven that an increased intake of selenium and vitamin E will reduce the susceptibility of developing prostate cancer (Nelson et al. 2005). Just as any cancer is based on genetics as well as environmental factors, prostate cancer is not fully preventable. Although an active, healthy lifestyle and diet will reduce the chances of developing prostate cancer (Gann 2002).
Show More

Related Documents: Disease Paper

Disease Paper

Jarolyn Allen Biology 2 Disease 6 Mr. Simmons 3th Period 3/15/13 Chron’s Disease Chron’s is a sickly disease that causes swelling in any part of the digestive system, mainly the smaller intestines. This disease is an “inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)”.The Chron’s disease can be very difficult to diagnose because it is in some way similar to other things like ulcerative colitis because the both of them cause abdominal pain. Some symptoms are high fever, diarrhea, pains, bleeding, and sometimes…

Words 1292 - Pages 6

Communicable Disease Paper

Communicable Disease Paper Maria G. Sanchez HCS/457 June 29, 2015 Charlotte A. Ferrell Communicable Disease Paper One of the many highly communicable diseases is chickenpox. This communicable disease is caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) which has a resemblance with the herpes virus. It can be transmitted in two ways, one through direct contact with the fluids from the blisters, mucus, or saliva and second through air where the virus is disseminated by coughing or sneezing. A person who has…

Words 1529 - Pages 7

Communicable Disease Paper

Communicable Disease Paper Communicable disease, “is an infectious disease transmissible, (as from person to person) by direct contact with an infected individual or the individual’s discharges or by indirect means (as by a vector)” (Merriam-Webster, 2011, p. 1). Understanding how communicable diseases are spread is important in reducing the significant affliction of disease in low income communities across the United States and increase prevention, awareness, and safety. The objective of this…

Words 1802 - Pages 8

Parkinson's Disease Paper

2013 Parkinson’s Disease: The Shaking Facts Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects your movement1. It was a British physician, named James Parkinson that shown light on the disease in the 1800s2. This disease is a disorder of the brains motor system caused by a loss of dopamine producing brain cells3. It affects approximately one and a half million Americas, plus about 50,000 new patients are diagnosed each year4. Parkinson’s disease has several symptoms…

Words 886 - Pages 4

Culture and Disease Paper

Culture and Disease HCS/ 245 University of Phoenix Culture and Disease To introduce Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of Dementia. There is no cure for the disease. And, it gets worse as it progresses. (Eventually leads to death). It was first described by a German psychiatrist in 1906. His name was Alois Alzheimer; hence the disease was named after him. Most people that get AD are over the age of 65. In 2006, there were…

Words 1097 - Pages 5

Parkinson's Disease Research Paper

Videos A-Z About Us Contact Us NIHSeniorHealth Built with You in Mind Home > Health Topics A-Z > Parkinson's Disease: What Is Parkinson's Disease? The information in this topic was provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Topic Last Reviewed: June 2012 Parkinson's Disease What Is Parkinson's Disease? A Brain Disorder Parkinson's disease is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination. It affects…

Words 856 - Pages 4

Parkinson Disease Research Paper

What is Parkinson disease? Parkinson disease definition states, “A progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.” If you’re like me sounds a little complicated. You might even be lost by reading that. No worries though because we are going to break it down so far that it sounds…

Words 1495 - Pages 6

Research Paper on Crohn's Disease

Research paper Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation of the lining of your digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea and even malnutrition. Inflammation caused by Crohn's disease can involve different areas of the digestive tract in different people. The inflammation caused by Crohn's disease often spreads deep into the layers of affected bowel tissue. Like ulcerative colitis, another common IBD, Crohn's disease can be both painful…

Words 1062 - Pages 5

Alzheimer's Disease Research Paper

Alzheimer’s Disease Causes and Treatment Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most mysterious and yet researched diseases in the world. This disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer a German famous psychiatrist who discovered the pathological disorder of dementia. People should learn about this disease because of the high percentage of morbidity among the old people. The numbers of Alzheimer’s patients around the world are rapidly increasing. The purpose of this paper is to discover the probable…

Words 903 - Pages 4

Huntington Disease Research Paper

INTRODUCTION Huntington’ disease (HD) is a hereditary, adult-onset, progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of nerve cells in the basal ganglia. It is well-known as a quintessential family disease due to the 50/50 probability for a child of a parent with HD of inheriting the disease. Today, there is approximately ~30, 000 symptomatic Americans and more than 200,000 American at-risk of developing the disease (1, 2). The purpose of this paper is to discuss and summarized…

Words 2299 - Pages 10