Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

There is no single cause of prostate cancer, but some factors appear to increase the risk of developing it.  Having a risk factor does not necessarily mean that you will get the disease.  Some men will develop prostate cancer without any of these risk factors.

The risk factors that increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer include:

• Family history: If you have one first-degree relative with prostate cancer, your risk increases by 2-3 times. If you have more than one first-degree relative with prostate cancer, your risk increases by 5 times.
• Age: Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are older than 65.
• Ethnicity: Men of African ancestry have higher rates of prostate cancer compared to Caucasian men.  Asian and aboriginal men appear to have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Obesity, physical inactivity, and eating a high fat diet are being studied as possible risk factors.  Evidence is not conclusive at this time. 

Resources:

Canadian Cancer Society, Prostate Cancer

Canadian Prostate Cancer Network

Prostate Cancer Research Foundation