Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Certain risk factors can increase your risk for developing prostate cancer. However, a risk factor does not guarantee that cancer will develop. The following risk factors may contribute to an increased risk.

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer Include:

• Age: Men over the age of 50 have a greater risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Family History of Prostate Cancer: At present, no single gene has been identified to raise or lower risk. However, research shows that men with brothers or fathers who have prostate cancer are more likely to develop prostate cancer themselves.
• Family History of Breast Cancer: Men who come from families with a strong history of breast cancer, as well as families that have a strong history of the genes BRCA1 or BRCA2 tend to have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.
• Ethnicity: Prostate cancer is more common in African Americans, although why is unknown. White men, Hispanic men, and Native American men are the next most commonly affected groups. Asian American men tend to have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.
• Diet: Diets high in fat may increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Obesity: Men who are obese may have an increased chance of developing more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
• Geography: Men who live in North America, Australia, the Caribbean islands, and northwest Europe have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer. Men who live in Asia, Central America, South America, and Africa tend to have lower chances of developing prostate cancer, although exactly why has yet to be determined.

If you have one or more of these risk factors, consider speaking to your doctor about whether regular screening is right for you.