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Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown. However, certain risk factors (and protective) factors are recognised.

There are many factors that may affect your risk of developing prostate cancer. Patients and their loved ones should discuss any decisions regarding prostate cancer risks, screening, and treatment with their physician.


Increased Risk

Family History
  • One first-degree relative = 2-fold or greater risk1
  • One first-degree relative and one second-degree relative = 8.8 times greater risk1
  • Family history of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations carries greater risk for prostate cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes associated with familial breast cancer that may be identified in high-risk individuals/families undergoing genetic testing.


Race
    Scandinavian4,5
  • African American5,6


Potentially Increase Risk

  • Circulating male hormone levels5,7,8
  • Diet high in:
    • Fat9,10 (fatty meats, dairy food)*
    • Vitamin A from animal sources11 (red meats, especially liver)*12


Decreased Risk

Race5
  • Asian


Potentially Decrease Risk

  • Diet high in:
    • Vitamin A from plant sources, beta carotene11 (orange, red or dark green leafy vegetables)*12
    • Isoflavonoids9,13 (plant-based weak estrogens found in soy products)*
    • Lycopenes14 (carotenoid antioxidant found in tomatoes)*
    • Selenium15 (seafood, meats, grains)*12
    • Vitamin E16 (vegetable and seed oils, whole grains, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables)*12


No Definitive Correlation

  • Vasectomy
    • Men undergoing vasectomy demonstrate greater health-seeking behavior and are more likely to be screened for prostate cancer17
  • Occupation
    • Weak association with cadmium exposure (e.g., mining, newspaper printing)18
  • Smoking5


* Foods cited are examples, not an all-inclusive list.


References

  1. Steinberg DG, Carter BS, Beaty TH, Childs B, Walsh PC. Family history and the risk of prostate cancer. Prostate. 1990;17:337-347
  2. Struewing JP, Hartge P, Wacholder S, et al. The risk of cancer associated with specific mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 among Ashkenazi Jews. N Engl J Med. 1997;336:1401-1408
  3. Easton DP, Steele L, Fields P, et al. Cancer risks in two large breast cancer families linked to BRCA2 on Chromosome 13q12-13. Am J Hum Genet. 1997;61:120-128.
  4. Sigurdsson S, Thorlacius S, Tomasson J, et al. BRCA2 mutation in Icelandic prostate cancer patients. J Mol Med. 1997;75:758-761
  5. Pienta KJ, Esper PS. Risk factors for prostate cancer. Ann Intern Med. 1993;118:793-803
  6. Baquet CR, Horm JW, Gibbs T, Greenwald P. Socioeconomic factors and cancer incidence among blacks and whites. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1991;83:551-557
  7. Barrett-Connor E, Garland C, McPhillips JB, Khaw K-t, Wingard DL. A prospective, population-based study of androstenedione, estrogens, and prostatic cancer. Cancer Res. 1990;50:169-173.
  8. Gann PH, Hennekens CH, Ma J, Longcope C, Stampfer MJ. Prospective study of sex hormone levels and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1996;88:1118-1126
  9. Brawley OW, Giovannucci E, Kramer BS. Epidemiology of prostate cancer. In: Vogelzang NJ, Shipley WU, Scardino PT, Coffey DS, eds. Comprehensive Textbook of Genitourinary Oncology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:553-544.
  10. Gann PH, Hennekens CH, Sacks FM, Grodstein F, Giovannucci EL, Stampfer MJ. Prospective study of plasma fatty acids and risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst.
    11. 1994;86:281-286
  11. Kolonel LN. Nutrition and prostate cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 1996;7:83-94.
  12. Duyff RL. The American Dietetic Association's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. Minneapolis, Minn: Chronimed Pulishing; 1996:79-81; 101-102.
  13. Griffiths K, Denis L, Turkes A, Morton MS. Possible relationship between dietary factors and pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Int J Urol. 1998;5:195-213.
  14. Gann PH, Ma J, Giovannucci E, et al. Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene levels: results of a prospective analysis. Cancer Res. 1999;59:1225-1230.
  15. Giovannucci E. Selenium and risk of prostate cancer. Lancet. 1998;352:755-756.
  16. The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group. The effect of vitamin E and beta carotene on the incidence of lung cancer and other cancers in male smokers. N Engl J Med. 1994;330:1029-1035.
  17. Sidney S, Quesenberry CP Jr, Dadler MC, Guess HA, Lydick EG, Cattolica EV. Vasectomy and the risk of prostate cancer in a cohort of multiphasic health-checkup examinees: second report. Cancer Causes Control. 1991;2:113-116.
  18. Elghany NA, Schumacher MC, Slattery ML, West DW, Lee JS. Occupation, cadmium exposure, and prostate cancer. Epidemiology. 1990;1:107-115.


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