Prostate Cancer Health Center

Like many cancers, no one knows the exact cause of prostate cancer. It’s impossible to say why one man develops the disease and another doesn’t.

That said, research has shown that a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer increase when he has certain risk factors.

Here are the most common risk factors for prostate cancer.

  • Age. As you age, your risk of prostate cancer increases. In the United States, most men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are over the age of 65. It’s rare to see the disease in men under 45.
  • Family history. Your risk is higher if your father, brother or son has had prostate cancer.
  • Race. Prostate cancer is more common among black men than white or Hispanic/Latino men. It's less common among Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native men.
  • Certain prostate changes. Men with abnormal cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) may be more likely to develop prostate cancer.
  • Certain genetic changes. Researchers have found specific regions on certain chromosomes that are linked to the risk of prostate cancer. If a man has genetic changes in one or more of these regions, the risk of prostate cancer may be increased. The risk increases with the number of genetic changes that are found. Also, other studies have shown an elevated risk of prostate cancer among men with changes in certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 – the two genes, interestingly, that increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer.
  • Many other possible risk factors are also under study, including: tobacco and alcohol use, BPH, sexually transmitted disease, obesity, physical inactivity and diets high in animal fat, especially processed and red meats.

Most recently, researchers have found a possible link between coronary artery disease and prostate cancer.

Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean that you will develop prostate cancer.

Review Date: 
March 27, 2012
Last Updated:
June 28, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com