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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
Many men worry about getting prostate cancer|, sometimes because a relative has had it.
About 1 in 12 men in the UK develop prostate cancer.
We don’t know the cause of most prostate cancers. But we do know that some things, called risk factors|, can increase your chances of developing cancer. Some risk factors are very likely to cause cancer, whereas others will only slightly increase your likelihood of getting it.
We have information about the symptoms of prostate cancer|.
Genes carry the biological information we inherit from our parents. They affect the way our bodies grow, work and look.
Changes (mutations) in some genes can increase the risk of prostate cancer in family members who inherit the genetic change. But, fewer than 1 in 10 cases of prostate cancer (5-10%) are thought to be due to an inherited altered gene (genetic mutation) running in the family.
Your risk of developing prostate cancer may be significantly increased if you have:
The risk of cancer being caused by an inherited genetic mutation is greater the more relatives there are with prostate cancer on the same side of your family, the more closely related they are to you and the younger their age at diagnosis.
If your family history indicates that there could be an inherited gene mutation present in your family and you’re worried about developing prostate cancer, you may want to talk to your GP.
There are currently no genetic tests for prostate cancer available on the NHS. But your doctor can discuss with you the advantages and disadvantages of having screening tests to check for prostate cancer. These may include a blood test to check the level of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood and a digital rectal examination (DRE). A DRE involves the doctor gently inserting a gloved finger into your back passage to examine the prostate gland to check for any abnormalities in the way it feels.
We have a section explaining the PSA test|, which includes a video outlining the benefits and disadvantages.
Prostate cancer often seems to cluster in families, but research so far has not identified a specific ‘prostate cancer gene’ that could be the cause. It’s likely that several genes may be involved. It is also likely that cancer risk may be related to environmental factors, although these have not yet been identified.
For a small number of people, a change (mutation) in the breast cancer genes BRCA1, and particularly BRCA2, may be linked with prostate cancer. So, if there is a strong history of breast cancer in your family or if a BRCA gene mutation has been found, you may want to discuss your risk of prostate cancer with your doctor. Your GP can refer you to your local genetics centre for further advice and genetic testing if necessary.
The main risk for prostate cancer is increasing age. More than 9 out of 10 men (90%) who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are over 65. Prostate cancer is rare in men under 50.
Men from certain ethnic groups have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer. African-Caribbean or African-American men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men. Asian men are the least likely to develop prostate cancer.
Some evidence suggests that diet can affect your risk of developing prostate cancer, but this is not completely clear. Current thinking suggests that a diet high in animal fats may increase your risk of developing it. In particular, red meat (such as beef, lamb and pork) and dairy produce (including butter, full-fat milk, cheese, eggs and cream) contain a lot of saturated fat.
About 1 in 4 cancers diagnosed in the UK (25%) could be avoided if people made changes to their lifestyles. There are a number of things you could consider to reduce your risk| of cancer.
There isn’t an organised screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. But the PSA test is often used to check for problems with the prostate gland.
The PSA test isn’t a straightforward test for prostate cancer. We have more information in our section on the PSA test|.
To help you weigh up these issues and decide whether having the PSA test is right for you, the NHS has organised an informed choice programme called Prostate Cancer Risk Management.
You can find out more information about the Prostate Cancer Risk Management programme| from the NHS website.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.