LEARN
Am I At Risk for Prostate Cancer?
The greatest risk factors for prostate cancer are increasing age, family history, race, and diet. Some you cannot change, and one you can. Understanding where you stand is the first step toward catching prostate cancer early, when it is most treatable.
The biggest prostate cancer risk factors are increasing age, family history, race, and diet.
Do any of these describe you?
- I am older than 50
- I have a family history of prostate cancer
- I am African American
If you answered yes to any of these, you may be at higher risk. But not having any of these risk factors does not make you immune. The truth is simple: all men are at risk for prostate cancer. Keep reading to understand your risk, and the steps you can take today.
Age
The risk of prostate cancer climbs sharply as men get older. National guidelines recommend that men start talking with their doctor about prostate cancer risk and testing in their 40s, and earlier if they have added risk factors. The vast majority of men diagnosed are over 50, and most are over 65. Prostate cancer does show up in men in their 20s and 30s, and some of those cases are aggressive, so age is a reason to pay attention, not a reason to wait.
Family History
Some men inherit a higher risk. A man with at least one close relative who has had prostate cancer has about twice the risk of the general population. Prostate cancer among relatives on both sides of your family, including more distant relatives, can help predict your own risk. Researchers continue to identify specific genes and mutations tied to prostate cancer, and genetic counseling can help families understand hereditary cancer risk.
Race
For reasons that are still not fully understood, African American men are about 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 2.3 times more likely to die from it, than white men. If this describes you, it is worth starting the screening conversation with your doctor earlier rather than later.
Diet and Lifestyle
Diet is a real risk factor, and unlike age or family history, it is one you can influence. Men who eat large amounts of fat, especially animal fat, appear more likely to develop prostate cancer. The disease is far more common in countries with high meat and dairy intake than in places where diets center on rice, soy, and vegetables. Regular physical activity helps too: men who get the equivalent of just one to three hours of walking a week have a much lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer, and vigorous exercise has been linked to a lower risk of dying from the disease.
Other Risk Factors
Several other factors can raise prostate cancer risk or severity:
- Obesity. Obesity is linked to more aggressive prostate cancer and a higher risk of the disease progressing or spreading. The good news: regular exercise and a healthy weight work in your favor.
- High-dose selenium and vitamin E. Research has found that men taking high doses of selenium and vitamin E supplements had an increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. More is not better, so talk to your doctor before taking supplements.
- Chemical exposure. Veterans exposed to defoliants such as Agent Orange, farmers and others exposed to heavy pesticide use, and workers exposed to cadmium (welders, battery and rubber workers) have shown higher rates of prostate cancer. Firefighters may also face higher risk.
- Early-life BPA exposure. Studies suggest that low-level exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) early in development may make prostate tissue more susceptible to cancer later in life.
What You Can Do About Your Risk
You cannot change your age, your family history, or your race, but you can control what you do next. Eat well, stay active, keep a healthy weight, be cautious with supplements, and most importantly, talk with your doctor about prostate cancer screening, especially if any of the risk factors above describe you. Screening is how most prostate cancer is found early, when it is most treatable. Start by learning the symptoms to watch for and when you should get tested.
Get a Free PSA Test in Nebraska
Knowing your risk is only useful if you act on it. A PSA blood test is a simple first step, and the Nebraska Prostate Cancer Alliance offers it free to men 40 and older at Cruisin’ for a Cure and community events across Nebraska. No insurance required. Results stay private. Early detection saves lives.
Keep Learning
Explore related topics: the symptoms to watch for, when you should get tested, and how prostate cancer is diagnosed and graded. If you or someone you love was just diagnosed, start with our resources for the newly diagnosed.