Non-Risk Factors

Equally important to knowing what has been linked to an increase in the risk of developing prostate cancer is knowing what has not been linked to an increase in risk.

The most common misperception about the risk of prostate cancer is that the presence of non-cancerous conditions of the prostate increase the risk of prostate cancer.

Although these conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of prostate cancer and should be evaluated by a physician, there is no evidence that having BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostatitis increases the risk for developing prostate cancer.

BPH

BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Because the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, runs directly through the prostate, enlargement of the prostate in BPH squeezes the urethra, making it difficult, and often painful, for men to urinate.

The growth of the prostate in men with BPH is unrelated to prostate cancer, and a number of research studies have shown that the presence of BPH does not make a man any more or less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Learn more about BPH

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is an infection in the prostate, and is the most common cause of urinary tract infection in men. Most treatment strategies are designed to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis, which include fever, chills, burning during urination, or difficulty urinating.

Research has shown that the presence of prostatitis does not make a man any more or less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Learn more about prostatitis

Sexual Activity

High levels of sexual activity or frequent ejaculation have been rumored to increase prostate cancer risk. This is untrue. In fact, studies show that men who reported more frequent ejaculations had a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

Additional Reading:

Prostate Cancer News: Risk Factors