Prostate cancer risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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Overview

Common risk factors in the development of prostate cancer are diet, lifestyle, having family history, being African-American men, occupational factors, age, and environmental factors.

Risk Factors

People who are at higher risk include:

• Dietary

• A diet high in fat, especially animal fat
• A diet low in vegetables, fruits, and legumes
• Food low or deficient in selenium

• Lifestyle

• Men who abuse alcohol

• Family history

• Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer

• Occupation

• Farmers
• Tire plant workers
• Painters

• Race

• African-American men

• Age

• Men who are older than 60

• Environmental factors

• Men exposed to agent orange
• Men who have been exposed to cadmium

Note: A common problem in almost all men as they grow older is an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). This problem does not raise the risk of prostate cancer.