Risks for prostate cancer

Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who donʼt have any risks.

The information on this page is mainly about risks in men. There is not a lot of research on prostate cancer risk in people who are transgender, non-binary or gender-diverse. We welcome research in this area. If you are transgender or non-binary and you’re worried about your risk of prostate cancer, talk to your healthcare provider about how the information here applies to you and find out about screening in 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

The risk for prostate cancer increases as men get older. The chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer is greater after age 50. Prostate cancer is most often diagnosed in men in their 60s.

The following can increase your risk for prostate cancer.

Family history of prostate cancer

Black ethnicity (including African or Caribbean ancestry)

Excess weight

Tall adult height

Inherited gene mutations

A family history of prostate cancer means that one or more of your close blood relatives has or has had prostate cancer. Some families have more cases of prostate cancer than would be expected by chance. Sometimes it isnʼt clear whether the family’s pattern of cancer is due to chance, shared lifestyle factors, genes passed from parents to children or a combination of these factors.

Your risk of developing prostate cancer is higher if one of your first-degree relatives (your father, brother or son) has been diagnosed. The more first-degree relatives with prostate cancer that you have, the greater your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer risk also depends on your relative’s age at diagnosis. If your relative was diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 65, your chance of developing prostate cancer is higher than if your relative was diagnosed at an older age.

Prostate cancer occurs in Black men (including men of African or Caribbean ancestry) more often than in men of other ethnicities. Black men are also more likely to have prostate tumours that grow and spread quickly and are more likely to die from prostate cancer compared to other men.

Obesity or overweight increases the risk for prostate cancer. Having these conditions makes it more likely that prostate cancer will be diagnosed at a later stage. High body fat is also linked with a higher risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer.

Tall men have a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The amount and type of food and drink you consume early in life affect adult height. It is thought that these are the factors that increase the risk, rather than being tall.

Gene mutations are changes to a gene. Some gene changes can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Inherited gene mutations are passed on from a parent to a child. Only a small number of prostate cancers are caused by an inherited gene mutation. Right now, gene testing is not commonly done for prostate cancer.

The 2 most common gene mutations related to prostate cancer are HOXB13 and BRCA2. (The BRCA2 gene mutation also increases the risk for breast or ovarian cancer.) Researchers are studying many other gene mutations that may affect the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The following have been linked with an increased risk of prostate cancer, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks.

Diets high in dairy products and calcium may increase the risk for prostate cancer. Milk, yogurt and cheese are examples of dairy products and are also foods high in calcium.

Some studies also show that smoking tobacco may increase the risk of being diagnosed with fast-growing (aggressive) prostate cancer or prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body. Itʼs unclear if smoking affects incidence, prognosis or both.

Inflammation of the prostate is called prostatitis. Many studies, but not all, show that long-term prostatitis increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. It also makes prostate cancer grow and spread more quickly. Find out more about prostatitis.

Having low levels of vitamin E or selenium in the blood may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. But there isn’t enough research to show that increasing the intake of vitamin E or selenium through diet or supplements can lower the risk for prostate cancer.

Some evidence suggests that contact with the following chemicals may increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Pesticides used in agriculture jobs are linked with a higher risk for prostate cancer. The risk may be even higher for men with a family history of prostate cancer. Researchers donʼt know how much exposure to pesticides and which specific chemicals affect prostate cancer risk.

Cadmium is a metal known to cause cancer (called a carcinogen). Some studies show that men who have contact with cadmium in smelting or battery manufacturing industries have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Not all research has shown this increased risk.

Chemicals in rubber manufacturing may increase the risk for prostate cancer.

Androgens are male sex hormones that control the growth, development and function of the male reproductive system, which includes the prostate. Testosterone is the main androgen. It is naturally found in the body. It can also be taken as a treatment (called testosterone therapy) for certain conditions.

Some evidence suggests that high levels of androgens in the body are related to the development and growth of prostate cancer. More research is needed to understand the long-term effects of having high androgen levels and taking testosterone therapy.

Significant evidence shows no link between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and a higher risk for prostate cancer.

Research also shows that eating foods or taking supplements containing beta carotene, a type of carotenoid, is unlikely to affect the risk for prostate cancer.

To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.