Prostate Cancer Risk Factors and How to Lower Them

What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer Risk

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States, so it’s natural to wonder how you can lower your risk. While not all risk factors can be controlled, understanding them — and making lifestyle choices to support your health — can make a difference.

Risk Factors

Any person born with a prostate is at risk for developing prostate cancer, but certain factors increase risk:

• Age: Rare before 40; risk rises significantly after 50.
• Race/ethnicity: More common in African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry.
• Family history and genetics: Risk is higher if close relatives have had prostate cancer or certain inherited gene changes.
• Lifestyle and other factors: Diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol use and prostate inflammation (prostatitis) may also play a role.

A risk factor can increase your risk of getting prostate cancer, but does not always mean you will get the disease. Conversely, many people with few or no known risk factors can also get prostate cancer.

Screening for Prostate Cancer

The best prevention step is talking with your doctor about when and how to begin screening.

• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends discussing screening at age 55, which may include a PSA blood test.
• Men with higher risk (family history or certain racial/ethnic backgrounds) may be advised to start screening as early as age 40.

As always, there is some risk and limitations associated with cancer screenings, so your doctor will help you determine whether you should undergo prostate cancer screening.

Tips to Lower Your Risk

Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

• Smoking may increase the chance of more aggressive prostate cancer — and it’s linked to many other cancers.
• Heavy alcohol use may raise prostate cancer risk. Cutting back supports overall health.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

• Obesity has been tied to more aggressive and advanced prostate cancer.
• A balanced diet and regular exercise — about 150 minutes per week — can help you maintain a healthy weight and support long-term health.

Focus on a Plant-Forward Diet

• While research is ongoing, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber may help lower risk.
• Diets high in omega-3 fatty acids (like the Mediterranean diet) may also support prostate and overall health.

Bottom line: While you can’t change factors like age or family history, healthy habits — like quitting smoking, staying active, eating well and talking to your doctor about screening — can help lower your risk and support lifelong health.