Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Modifiable

Diet: Diets high in red meat, high-fat dairy, and low in fruits and vegetables may increase risk.

Obesity: Associated with a higher risk of aggressive or advanced prostate cancer and worse outcomes.

Physical inactivity: Sedentary lifestyle is linked to higher risk and worse prognosis.

Smoking increases risk of lethal prostate cancer and recurrence after treatment.

Chemical exposure: Long-term exposure to Agent Orange, pesticides, or certain industrial chemicals increases risk.

Age: Risk rises sharply after age 50; most cases occur in men over 65.

Having a first-degree relative (father, brother, or son) with prostate cancer doubles or triples risk.
Risk increases further if multiple relatives are affected or were diagnosed at a younger age (<55 years).

African and Caribbean men of African ancestry have the highest risk and more aggressive disease.
Asian and Hispanic men tend to have lower incidence and mortality rates.

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations (especially BRCA2) increase risk and are linked to more aggressive disease.
HOXB13 gene mutations are also associated with hereditary prostate cancer.
Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) also increases risk.

AB Health Solutions provides hereditary testing for hereditary prostate cancer.