Are You at Risk for Prostate Cancer?
January 28, 2025
Prostate cancer is the second-most diagnosed cancer among men, after skin cancer. Roughly one in eight men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes.
Prostate cancer is sometimes slow growing, sometimes aggressive. When it’s caught early, it’s often treatable. But it’s one of the top causes of cancer-related death in men, behind lung cancer.
There are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer until it becomes advanced. That’s why it’s important to be screened for this disease.
“Even with more aggressive prostate cancer, the earlier you find it, the better chance you have to cure it,” says Richard Garden, M.D., a urologist in Emerson, New Jersey. “The only way to know how aggressive it is, is by doing a biopsy.”
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Men have a prostate, a small gland located underneath the bladder. It helps produce semen, a fluid that contains sperm. If cells in the prostate multiply uncontrollably, it leads to cancer.
Some men are at increased risk of prostate cancer. Risk factors include:
- Age. Men are diagnosed with prostate cancer more often as they get older. But you can’t control your age to decrease your cancer risk.
- Race. Black men are at greater risk of prostate cancer than white men. Again, this is a risk factor that you can’t control. “African American men are not only at higher risk of getting prostate cancer, they’re also at higher risk of having more aggressive forms of prostate cancer,” says Saurabh Agarwal, M.D., a urologist in Midland Park, New Jersey.
- Family history. Men are at increased risk if a first-degree relative has had prostate cancer. If your father or brother was diagnosed, your chance of being diagnosed rises. “Family history almost triples the risk of prostate cancer,” Dr. Garden says. “That one in eight number goes down to about one in three.”
- Gene mutations. The BRCA2 gene, which increases breast cancer risk, also increases prostate cancer risk. Genetic testing can identify whether you’re BRCA2-positive. “If you have a relative who’s BRCA2-positive, I would advise to get tested,” Dr. Garden says. “See if you carry the mutation.”
When to Start Prostate Cancer Screenings
All men should be screened for prostate cancer after a certain age. When? It varies, based on a man’s personal risk factors.
Different medical organizations have conflicting views about when to begin prostate cancer screening. One thing the groups agree on: Men should be screened earlier if they have risk factors.
Many providers recommend that men should start prostate cancer screening at age 50. They often say that high-risk men should begin screening at age 40.
“Some say 45, but I personally start screening high-risk people at 40,” Dr. Garden says. “That’s if you have a family history, you’re African American or you have a genetic predisposition.”
What Happens During Prostate Cancer Screenings
Prostate cancer screening has two parts:
- A blood test to check prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
- A digital rectal exam
During a digital rectal exam, a physician briefly inserts a finger into the patient’s rectum. The physician can feel the prostate to check for lumps or other problem areas.
“I probably diagnose 15 to 20 men a year with prostate cancer who have normal PSAs but abnormal digital rectal exams,” Dr. Garden says. “That’s the only way that they’re identified.”
Patients may dislike digital rectal exams because they can be uncomfortable. But they’re still an important tool.
“My personal feeling is, you’re in the office, it takes two seconds,” Dr. Agarwal says. “It’s really not a big deal.”
Managing Prostate Health
There isn’t anything specific that you can do to improve your prostate health. There are no superfoods, supplements or medications that help.
“The best thing you can do is live as healthy a lifestyle as possible,” Dr. Agarwal says. “Do the best that you can to maintain your overall health. Prostate health is a part of it.”
Once you reach the right age, be sure to get screened for prostate cancer. If you don’t have a urologist, you can still be screened.
“The majority of people get their screening from primary care physicians,” Dr. Garden says. “If the primary care physician finds something, they’ll refer patients to the proper specialists for evaluation.”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our sources: Richard Garden, M.D., and Saurabh Agarwal, M.D.
- Make an appointment with a urologist near you or call 800-822-8905.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
