who's at risk for prostate cancer?

Source: National Cancer Institute

Prostate cancer causes are not well understood. Doctors cannot explain why one man gets prostate cancer and another does not.

Researchers are studying factors that may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Studies have found that the following risk factors are associated with prostate cancer:

Age over 65. In the United States, prostate cancer is found mainly in men over age 55. The chance of getting prostate cancer increases as you get older. The average age of patients at the time of diagnosis is 70. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 45.
Family history of prostate cancer. A man's risk for developing prostate cancer is higher if his father or brother has had the disease.
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 cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia or PIN (noncancerous growth of the cells lining the internal and external surfaces of the prostate gland) may be at increased risk of prostate cancer. These prostate cells look abnormal under a microscope.
Certain genome (genetic) changes: Researchers have found specific regions on certain chromosomes that are linked to the risk of prostate cancer. According to recent studies, if a man has a genetic change 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* or BRCA2*.

*Genes that normally helps to suppress cell growth. A person who inherits certain mutations (changes) in these genes have a higher risk of getting breast, ovarian, prostate, and other types of cancer.

Having a risk factor doesn't mean that a man will develop prostate cancer. Most men who have risk factors never develop the disease.

Many other possible risk factors are under study. For example, researchers have studied whether vasectomy (surgery to cut or tie off the tubes that carry sperm out of the testicles) may pose a risk, but most studies have found no increased risk. Also, most studies have shown that the chance of getting prostate cancer is not increased by tobacco or alcohol use, BPH, a sexually transmitted disease, obesity, a lack of exercise, or a diet high in animal fat or meat. Researchers continue to study these and other possible risk factors.

Researchers are also studying how prostate cancer may be prevented. For example, they are studying the possible benefits of certain drugs, vitamin E, selenium, green tea extract, and other substances. These studies are with men who have not yet developed prostate cancer.

Source
http://cancer.gov
NCI's Web site contains comprehensive information about cancer causes and prevention, screening and diagnosis, treatment and survivorship; clinical trials; statistics; funding, training, and employment opportunities; and the Institute and its programs.

See the complete index of What You Need To Know About™ Cancer publications.

Posted January 2004
Updated October 2009

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