Studies have found the following risk factors for prostate cancer:
- Age: Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. This disease is rare in men younger than 45, but the chance of getting it goes up sharply as a man gets older. In the United States, most men with prostate cancer are older than 65.
- Family history: A man's risk of prostate cancer is higher than average if his father or brother had the disease.
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African American men than in white men, including Hispanic white men. It is less common in Asian and American Indian men.
- Certain prostate changes: Having abnormal cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) may increase the risk of prostate cancer. These prostate cells look abnormal under a microscope.
- Diet: Some studies suggest that men who eat a diet high in animal fat or meat may be at increased risk of prostate cancer. Also, men who eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk.
Scientists have studied whether BPH, obesity, smoking, a sexually transmitted virus, or lack of exercise might increase the risk of prostate cancer. At this time, these do not appear to be important risk factors. Also, most studies have not found an increased risk of prostate cancer for men who have had a vasectomy (surgery to cut or tie off the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles). Other possible risk factors are under study.
Many men who have known risk factors do not get prostate cancer. On the other hand, many who do get the disease have none of these risk factors (other than being over 65). Men may want to talk with their doctor about factors that generally increase the chance of getting prostate cancer and about their own risk.
