Causes and risk factors of prostate cancer
Although we do not know what causes prostate cancer, certain risk factors may increase the chances of developing it.
What are prostate cancer risk factors?
Doctors do not know the exact causes of prostate cancer. There are risk factors that can increase the chance of getting it. But having 1 or more risk factors does not necessarily mean you will get prostate cancer.
If you are worried about prostate cancer and would like to talk to someone, we're here. You can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00.
- Chat to our specialists online.
Related pages
Age
Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. Your risk increases from the age of 50. Prostate cancer is uncommon under the age of 50 and more common over the age of 75. Risk factors like ethnicity and family history are linked with getting prostate cancer at a younger age.
Ethnicity
If you are Black, you have a much higher risk of developing prostate cancer. The reason for this is not clear, but it may be because of genetic factors. If you are Black, you are also more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age.
Prostate Cancer UK has information for Black men about their risk of prostate cancer. It gives advice on talking to your GP about your risk of getting prostate cancer and helps you to make decisions about having a PSA test.
If you are Asian, your risk of prostate cancer is much lower. Doctors do not know why this is.
Family history
Prostate cancer is more common in some families. The risk of prostate cancer is higher if you have:
- a close relative, such as a father or brother, who had prostate cancer – the risk is greater if they were diagnosed under the age of 65
- 2 or more first-degree relatives with a history of prostate cancer – a first-degree relative is a father or brother
- a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.
Genetic factors
The risk of prostate cancer is higher in people who have inherited certain gene changes. These are called variants or mutations. Doctors think 5 to 10 out of 100 prostate cancers (5% to 10%) are linked to inherited gene changes.
Genes are the instructions for your body to work. Genes are in nearly every cell in our body. Each person has 2 copies of each gene. One is from their mother and the other is from their father. Changes to some genes can increase a person’s risk of developing some types of cancer.
Changes to genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 may increase a person’s risk of prostate cancer. These gene changes also increase the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer in women and people assigned female at birth. If you have inherited the BRCA2 gene change, your risk of prostate cancer is 2 to 5 times higher. The BRCA1 gene may also increase your risk, but the evidence for this is not as clear.
Prostate cancer risk is also higher if you have Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is rare but can increase the risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer.
Contact your GP if you have a family history of cancer and are worried about your risk of prostate cancer.
We have more information about family history and cancer.
Body weight, obesity and diet
Being very overweight (obese) may increase the risk of having more advanced prostate cancer. It may also increase the risk of having a faster-growing type of prostate cancer.
Eating a balanced diet and doing regular physical activity will help you stay a healthy weight.
A diet high in animal fat may be a risk factor for developing prostate cancer. A diet that does not include a lot of vegetables may also be a risk factor for prostate cancer, although this is less clear.
Further resources
Prostate Cancer UK has a risk checker that you can use to learn more about your risk of developing prostate cancer.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our prostate cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Prostate cancer: diagnosis and management. NICE Guideline [NG131]. Published: 09 May 2019. Last updated: 15 December 2021. Available from: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng131 [accessed March 2024].
Castro E, Fizazi K, Heidenreich A, Ost P, Parker C, Procopio G, et al. Prostate cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology. 2020; 31(9): 1119–1134. Available from: www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(20)39898-7/fulltext [accessed March 2024].
Reviewer
Consultant Medical Oncologist & Honorary Associate Professor
University College Hospitals, London
Date reviewed
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