Risk factors for prostate cancer

It is not possible to say what causes prostate cancer in a single man. We do know there are some features that are more common in men who develop prostate cancer. These features are called ‘risk factors’.

But it is usually hard to be sure whether a risk factor contributed to the development of the cancer. And having one or more risk factors for prostate cancer does not mean that someone will definitely develop this cancer. In fact, many men with prostate cancer have no obvious risk factors.

Risk factors for prostate cancer are:

• getting older
• having a family history – men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer are more likely to develop it
• having genetic conditions in your family – for example, mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer and may be passed down on the mother or father’s side of the family.

If you have any of these risk factors or you’re worried about your risk for prostate cancer, yarn with your doctor, nurse, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker.