Prostate Cancer Facts and Risk Factors
According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven men will develop and be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. The disease occurs mostly in older men; in fact, six in 10 cases happen in men over the age of 65.
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The team at each of our cancer treatment centers across New Jersey includes medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, radiation therapists, certified oncology nurses, social workers, case managers, nutritionists, pharmacists, and pastoral care staff—all ready to put their skills to work for your total health and wellness.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Learn more about the risk factors for prostate cancer, which include:
- Age: Men ages 50 and older are at higher risk. Almost two-thirds of all prostate cancers are found in men over age 65.
- Race and Nationality: Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men. It is less common in Asian-American and Hispanic men. Asian men in the U.S. are at higher risk than Asian men living in Asia.
- Family History of Prostate Cancer: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer greatly raises a man's risk for the disease. The risk is even higher if more than 1 family member has the cancer, especially if at a young age.
- Diet: Men who have a diet high in red meat or high-fat dairy foods and low in vegetables and fruits may have a greater chance of getting prostate cancer.
- Obesity: Obesity has been linked with a higher risk of a more aggressive type of prostate cancer.
- Chemicals Exposure: Men who are in contact with toxic chemicals (mostly at work)—such as firefighters—may have a higher risk for prostate cancer. There is also some evidence that men who were exposed to Agent Orange, which was used during the Vietnam War, might be at higher risk for prostate cancer. But the exact link is not clear.
- Genes: Men with certain inherited gene changes are at higher risk for prostate cancer. But only a small amount of prostate cancers are strongly linked to gene changes.