Prostate Cancer - Factors that Increase the Risk

These Substances may Increase the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Amines

 Some types of Heterocyclic Aromatic Amines (HAAs) (e.g. PhlP) may cause Prostate Cancer.  ^[1]

Environmental Toxins

 Excessive exposure to Pesticides may increase the risk of Prostate Cancer.  ^[2]

Enzymes

 Excessive 5-Alpha Reductase levels or activity may be implicated in Prostate Cancer.

 Excessive activity of 5-Lipoxygenase may catalyze the production of endogenous Eicosanoids that are implicated in Prostate Cancer.  ^[3]

 Excessive Beta-Glucuronidase activity in the Colon may be associated with an increased risk of Prostate Cancer.  ^[4]

 Excessive Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production/activity may be implicated in Prostate Cancer.  ^[5]

 Excessive activity of Fatty Acid Synthase may play a role in the growth of Prostate Cancer.  ^[6]

 Excessive Ornithine Decarboxylase activity may be implicated in the development of Prostate Cancer (due to Ornithine Decarboxylase’s involvement in Cell proliferation):

 Excessive activity of Protein Kinase C may be implicated in the development of Prostate Cancer (it accelerates the growth of the malignant cells that are involved in Prostate Cancer).

Growth Factors

 High endogenous levels of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) have been claimed to result in a 400% increase in the risk of Prostate Cancer (men with high endogenous IGF-1 levels were claimed to have a four times greater risk of developing Prostate Cancer compared to men with low levels of IGF-1).  However, a recent study has dispelled this claim.  ^[7]

Hormones

 It has been claimed that Androstenedione may increase the risk of Prostate Cancer.  Scientific studies have dispelled this claim.  ^[8]

 Until 1999 it was claimed that Prostate Cancer patients should not use supplemental Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (due to the belief that DHEA, as a precursor for endogenous Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (substances that were believed to promote Prostate cell proliferation) could initiate Prostate Cancer.  However many researchers challenged this warning and some believed that DHEA does not further stimulate Prostate cell growth.  Recent studies have determined that DHEA may actually prevent Prostate Cancer and may retard the further growth of existing Prostate Cancer.  ^[9]

 Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may stimulate the growth of Prostate Cancer cells.  ^[10]