Risk Factors

There are some factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer:

  • Prostate cancer risk increases as men age.
  • A family history of prostate cancer increases the risk depending on the relationship to a relative with the disease. Men with prostate cancer should encourage their sons over the age of 40 to get checked.
  • Higher in black males than in Caucasians and Asians. It is also lower in those who follow an Asian rather than a Western diet.
  • High fat diet.

Many men who develop prostate cancer have none of these risk factors.

Symptoms

Prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms in its early stages.

More advanced cancers may cause symptoms due to invasion in the area of the prostate, causing problems with bleeding and/or urination or inability to urinate. These symptoms are most common with benign enlargement of the prostate, and should not be confused with cancer. If the cancer spreads, it usually invades the bone. This may cause bone pain, most commonly in the lower back and pelvis.