What are the major risk factors for developing prostate cancer?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Prostate cancer risk factors include older age (especially over 50), family history of prostate or related cancers (breast, ovarian), African ancestry, and lifestyle factors such as a diet high in red meat, processed foods, and dairy. Obesity and smoking may also increase risk.

Because many prostate cancer symptoms overlap with benign conditions like an enlarged prostate or urinary tract infections, self-diagnosis is unreliable. If you're experiencing urinary changes, pelvic discomfort, or other concerning signs, taking a free, instant online symptom check can help you clarify what may be causing your symptoms and guide your next steps—whether that means monitoring at home or seeing a doctor promptly.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover your prostate cancer risk See if prostate cancer may fit Find out what prostate symptoms mean Learn OTC options for prostate symptoms Find a prostate cancer specialist Explore medically valid prostate home remedies Understand if prostate symptoms need care

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

Prostate cancer risk is influenced by several key factors. Age is a major risk factor, with older men being more likely to develop the disease. Family history also plays a role; having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases your risk. Additionally, certain lifestyle factors like diet can impact risk.

Key Risk Factors:

Age: The risk increases as men get older.
Family History: Men with close relatives who have had prostate cancer are at higher risk.
Diet and Lifestyle: Eating habits, smoking cigarettes and physical activity can influence risk.

Understanding these factors can help in making informed choices about health and screening. If you're concerned about your risk or experiencing any symptoms, you can check your symptoms with Ubie's free AI-powered assessment tool to get personalized insights.

(References)

Leitzmann MF, & Rohrmann S. (2012). Risk factors for the onset of prostatic cancer: age, location, .... Clinical epidemiology, 22291478.
Cui H, Zhang W, Zhang L, Qu Y, Xu Z, Tan Z, et al. (2024). Risk factors for prostate cancer: An umbrella review .... PLoS medicine, 38489391.
Wilson KM, & Mucci LA. (2019). Diet and Lifestyle in Prostate Cancer. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 31900902.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.