New risk factor for prostate cancer
October 12th, 2008 Posted in prostate cancer risksThe greater the levels of a protein called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1), the greater the risk of prostate cancer, an Oxford University-led study has found. The results are published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
IGF-1 levels are influenced by lifestyle factors such as diet, so the study could help in tailoring the advice given to men at high risk of developing prostate cancer.
Previously, some but not all studies had suggested a link between IGF-1 levels and increased risk of developing the disease.
There is a need to identify risk factors for prostate cancer, especially those which can be targeted by therapy and/or lifestyle changes. Now scientists know this factor is associated with the disease so they can start to examine how diet and lifestyle factors can affect its levels and whether changes could reduce a man’s risk.