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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffKnowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate cancer screening. The main risk factors include:
- Age. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer increases.
- Race or ethnicity. For reasons that aren't well understood, black men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer.
- Family history. If your father or brother has prostate cancer, your risk of the disease is greater than that of the average man.
- Diet. A high-fat diet and obesity may increase your risk of prostate cancer. One theory is that fat increases production of the hormone testosterone, which may promote the development of prostate cancer cells.
- High testosterone levels. Because testosterone naturally stimulates the growth of the prostate gland, men who use testosterone therapy are more likely to develop prostate cancer than are men who have lower levels of testosterone. Also, doctors are concerned that testosterone therapy might fuel the growth of prostate cancer that is already present. Long-term testosterone treatment also may cause prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
References
- Wilson WG et al. Abeloff: Clinical Oncology, 3rd ed. Prostate Cancer. Ch 87
- Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2008, 10th ed. Prostate Cancer.
- Small EJ. Prostate cancer (2007) Goldman: Cecil Medicine, 23rd ed. Chapter 211.
- National Cancer Institute. PC-SPES, Patient version (9/21/07). Accessed online, 1/20/08: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/cam/pc-spes
- Gaziano JM, et al. Vitamins E and C in the prevention of prostate and total cancer in men: The physicians' health study II randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2008.862v1. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Lippman SM, et al. Effect of selenium and vitamin E on risk of prostate cancer and other cancer: The selenium and vitamin E cancer prevention trial (SELECT). Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/2008.864v1. Accessed Dec. 31, 2008.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 2, 2009.
