The Influence of Modifiable Factors on Breast and Prostate Cancer Risk and Disease Progression

Abstract

Breast and prostate cancers are among the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide, and together represented almost 20% of all new cancer diagnoses in 2020. For both cancers, the primary treatment options are surgical resection and sex hormone deprivation therapy, highlighting the initial dependence of these malignancies on the activity of both endogenous and exogenous hormones. Cancer cell phenotype and patient prognosis is not only determined by the collection of specific gene mutations, but through the interaction and influence of a wide range of different local and systemic components. While genetic risk factors that contribute to the development of these cancers are well understood, increasing epidemiological evidence link modifiable lifestyle factors such as physical exercise, diet and weight management, to drivers of disease progression such as inflammation, transcriptional activity, and altered biochemical signaling pathways. As a result of this significant impact, it is estimated that up to 50% of cancer cases in developed countries could be prevented with changes to lifestyle and environmental factors. While epidemiological studies of modifiable risk factors and research of the biological mechanisms exist mostly independently, this review will discuss how advances in our understanding of the metabolic, protein and transcriptional pathways altered by modifiable lifestyle factors impact cancer cell physiology to influence breast and prostate cancer risk and prognosis.

Expansion of the quality of care index on breast cancer and its risk factors using the global burden of disease study 2019

“…Findings of quality assessment showed that countries with higher BC QCI almost had a consistent higher rQCI, which highlights the importance of controlling the outgrowing BC risk factors in better BC epidemic prevention, before the incidence of the diseases in individuals. An effective management of these risk factors could avert the risk of the disease in populations in long‐term 64,65 . The noticeable attributable burden to high FPG, high BMI, and alcohol use as the main modifiable risk factors assessed in this study highlight the role of metabolic and behavioral risks in the development of BC.…”

“…An effective management of these risk factors could avert the risk of the disease in populations in long-term. 64,65 The noticeable attributable burden to high FPG, high BMI, and alcohol use as the main modifiable risk factors assessed in this study highlight the role of metabolic and behavioral risks in the development of BC. Widespread pandemic of overweight and obesity is a major concern in BC too, as this risk factor is associated with higher BC incidence in postmenopausal women.…”

[18F]-FDHT PET for the Imaging of Androgen Receptor in Prostate and Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…In this respect, prostate cancer (PC) and breast cancer (BC) are among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide and represent unique clinicopathological entities, owing their specific biological characteristics, gene expression profiling, signaling pathways, subtypes and tumor-associated microenvironments. However, PC and BC share a strong dependence on the activity of endogenous and exogenous hormones [2]. In this respect, androgens, which are expressed differently in men and women, play a significant role in regulating tumor growth and proliferation in both of these malignancies [3].…”

Metabolic changes during prostate cancer development and progression

“…Over the years, several risk factors for PCa have been identified. Next to age, ethnicity, genetic predisposition, obesity, and dietary factors are risk factors for developing aggressive PCa (Tan and Naylor 2022 ). A high-fat diet and reduced vitamin consumption (carotenoids, retinoids, vitamins C, D, and E), minerals (calcium, selenium), and phytoestrogens (isoflavonoids, flavonoids, lignans) lead to an increase in PCa risk (Oczkowski et al 2021 ).…”