According to the
American Cancer
Society, the risk
factors for prostate
cancer are not
completely
understood. However,
some risk factors do
seem to be
associated with
developing prostate
cancer.
AGE
The strongest risk
factor for prostate
cancer is age. In
fact, the chance of
having prostate
cancer increases
rapidly after age
50. Almost 2 out of
3 prostate cancers
are found in men
over 65.
FAMILY
HISTORY/GENES
Prostate cancer
seems to run in some
families, which
suggests the disease
may be inherited. If
your father or
brother has prostate
cancer, or if your
relatives were young
when they were
diagnosed with the
disease, your risk
increases.
A small number of
cases of prostate
cancer can be linked
to several inherited
genes that raise a
man’s risk of
developing this
cancer. However,
genetic testing is
not yet available to
detect these genes.
More studies are
needed before gene
variation can be
used to predict
prostate cancer
risk.
RACE/ETHNICITY
Prostate cancer
occurs more often in
African American men
than in men of other
races. African
American men are
also more likely
than white men to be
diagnosed with
advanced prostate
cancer.
Asian American and
Hispanic/Latino men
are less likely to
get prostate cancer
than are
non-Hispanic white
men. Researchers do
not know why these
differences occur
among races and
ethnicities.
NATIONALITY
The parts of the
world where prostate
cancer occurs most
are North America,
northwestern Europe,
Australia, and the
Caribbean islands.
It is less common in
Asia, Africa,
Central America, and
South America. This
may be because of
geographical
differences in
frequency of
screening tests and
differences in
lifestyles, such as
diet.
DIET
Diet may have an
effect on prostate
cancer, although it
is not clear why.
Men who eat a lot of
red meat or high-fat
dairy products have
a slightly higher
chance of developing
prostate cancer than
those who eat more
fruits and
vegetables. Talk
with your doctor for
ways to make your
diet healthier.
OBESITY
Some studies suggest
that obesity is not
linked to a higher
risk of prostate
cancer. However,
obese men do seem to
have a higher risk
of developing a more
aggressive prostate
cancer, such as
advanced prostate
cancer, and a higher
risk of dying from
this disease.
EXERCISE
Exercise has not
been shown to reduce
the risk of
developing prostate
cancer. But some
studies have shown
that higher levels
of physical
activity, especially
in older men, may
lower the risk of
advanced prostate
cancer. Always talk
with your doctor
before starting an
exercise program.
If you have one or
more of these risk
factors, talk with
your doctor to learn
what you can do to
reduce your risk. |