Are You at Higher Risk?
There are three well-established risk factors for increased prostate cancer diagnosis: older age, family history, and Black race. Other factors can increase risk of aggressive prostate cancer and worse outcomes if a person is diagnosed.
Age
The older you are, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The average age of men diagnosed with prostate cancer is 66 years. Nearly 60% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65. Although only about 1 in 457 men under age 50 will be diagnosed, the rate shoots up to 1 in 55 for ages 50 to 59, 1 in 19 for ages 60 to 69, and 1 in 11 for men 70 and older.
However, it is important to note that a substantial number of cancers are diagnosed in younger men, who can develop aggressive cancers that require early, aggressive treatment. This is why PCF recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctor in their 40s, and make a shared decision based on their personal risk factors.
Family History
Genes that increase the risk of cancer can run in families. Genetic factors contribute to more than half (58%) of all prostate cancers, which makes prostate cancer one of the most “heritable” of all cancers. Men who have a close relative with prostate cancer,such as a biological father or brother, may be twice as likely to develop the disease, while those with 2 or more relatives may be up to 4 times as likely to be diagnosed. Men may also be at increased risk of prostate cancer if they have a strong family history of other cancers, such as breast, ovarian, colon, or pancreatic cancer.
There are also some individual genes that we now know increase the risk of prostate cancer, and men with these genes may need to undergo genetic counseling, be screened differently, or consider changes in treatment.
Race
One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime (compared with one in eight white men), and they are more than twice as likely to die from the disease. Black men are also more likely to present at a younger age and have more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. Researchers are still working to understand the root causes of these disparities. They are thought to be related to a complex interplay of factors including environmental exposures, socioeconomic factors, limited access to timely screening and medical care, and genetics.
Other Factors
Obesity and smoking are among other factors associated with increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and worse disease outcomes. Men who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of ultimately developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. This is further complicated by research that has shown that in obese men, recovery from surgery tends to be longer and more difficult, and the risk of dying from prostate cancer can be higher. Men who smoke are also more likely to die of prostate cancer. Exposure to toxins such as Agent Orange may increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Last Reviewed: 12/2023
