What Risk Factors Increase the Chances of Developing Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer in the U.S. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to completely eliminate your risk of developing prostate cancer. The biggest risk factors for developing prostate cancer are things that can’t be changed, like your age, race, and genetics. 

But remember, prostate cancer is easier to treat when it’s caught early. So even though you can’t change your age or genetics, you can still take steps to keep yourself healthy. For example, you can get screened for prostate cancer if one or more of the following three risk factors apply to you. 

Here are the most important risk factors for prostate cancer that you should know.

1. Older age

You’re more likely to develop prostate cancer as you get older. The risk goes up after you reach 50 years old. About 90% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in adults over 56 years old. DNA damage accumulates over time. Experts believe this is why older people are more likely to develop prostate cancer. 

As you get older, it’s important to talk to your primary care provider about prostate cancer screening. Screening isn’t right for everyone. But it may be a good idea as you get older. It’s also important to know the symptoms of prostate cancer. If you have symptoms, talk to your primary care provider right away.

2. Genetics

Certain changes in your genes — called genetic mutations — can increase your risk of getting prostate cancer. For example, people with mutations in their BRCA2 gene are at a higher risk. Changes in your BRCA1 gene may also increase the risk. 

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can be passed from parent to child. But not everyone who inherits these changes will get prostate cancer. That’s why it’s also important to know if anyone in your family has had prostate cancer or other types of cancer. 

Learn about your family’s history of cancer, and let your healthcare team know if there’s a history of cancer in your family. This information could change the way your healthcare team decides to screen you for prostate cancer. They may also suggest genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations.

3. Race

Black males are almost twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as white men. They’re also more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer. Scientists haven’t identified a genetic reason for this. Unequal access to healthcare and insurance may be reasons for this disparity. 

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Start here. Our prostate cancer guide has the answers you need. 

• Should you get screened? Learn if prostate cancer screening is right for you.

• Early signs of prostate cancer: Take a look at the most common symptoms of prostate cancer.

If you don’t have insurance, learn more about low-cost care options so you can still get a yearly physical. Find a primary care provider so you can be sure to have follow-up care after your screening tests. 

What are some of the risk factors for cancer that can be changed?

The good news is that other risk factors for prostate cancer can be changed. These are called modifiable risk factors. That means you can take steps to lower your risk of developing prostate cancer. Here are four things you can do to stay healthy.

1. Stop smoking

Smoking increases the chances of developing aggressive prostate cancer. This type of cancer is more likely to spread and cause serious illness and death.

Studies show that people who smoke have a 10% to 30% increased chance of getting aggressive prostate cancer, which is more difficult to treat than low-risk prostate cancer. If you stop smoking, you can decrease your risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. 

There are treatment options available to help you quit smoking. Talk with your healthcare team about how to stop smoking. 

2. Eat a plant-based diet

Many studies have looked at the effects of diet on developing prostate cancer. Here’s what we know so far:

• Animal fat: Diets high in animal fats can increase the risk of prostate cancer. This may be because of the high amounts of alpha-linoleic acid in these foods. Try to limit the amount of meat and other animal products you eat — especially products that are high in saturated fats like sausage, bacon, and cheese. You don’t have to completely remove these items from your diet. But you can choose from healthy options and eat them in recommended amounts. 

• Vegetables: Some studies show that diets low in vegetables can increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Some newer studies also show that diets higher in lycopene — a nutrient found in tomatoes and tomato products — may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. There’s also some evidence that soy products can decrease prostate cancer risk. But this evidence isn’t as strong as other evidence about diet. Overall, the data supports that diets higher in vegetables can help reduce prostate cancer risks. Eating vegetables has other health benefits, too — so look for ways to increase your daily vegetable intake. 

3. Keep an eye on body fat distribution

There’s some evidence that increased body fat can raise your risk of developing prostate cancer. One reason might be the increased circulation of the hormone insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). IGF-1 may bind to proteins on prostate cancer cells and encourage them to grow. It’s not clear if higher IGF-1 levels also increase the chances of developing more aggressive prostate cancer. Keeping your body weight in a healthy range may lower the chances of developing prostate cancer.

There’s also a link between prostate cancer recurrence and weight. If you’ve already been diagnosed with prostate cancer, maintaining a body weight that’s in a healthy range may help lower your risk of cancer recurrence. You can work with your healthcare team to develop a plan to achieve your body weight goals. 

4. Consume alcohol in moderation

It’s not clear if alcohol intake increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. Some studies show that heavy alcohol use does increase the risk. One study showed that men who had more than one drink per month were slightly more likely to develop prostate cancer than those who had less than one drink per month or didn’t drink at all. Another study showed that drinking red wine may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. 

Overall, the evidence around alcohol use and prostate cancer risk is mixed. But since alcohol use can lead to other health conditions, it’s a good idea to limit alcohol. 

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Written by:

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, PhD

Ronald W. Dworkin, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist who has been practicing anesthesiology in a community hospital for 30 years. He has taught in the honors program at George Washington University for over 10 years and works as a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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