Risk Factors

Men with a family history of prostate cancer are considered to be at high risk. Research suggests that high dietary fat is also a prominent risk factor. There may be a hereditary factor, but no gene has been identified.

Other possible risk factors include the following:

• Age (96 percent of cases occur in men over 55)
• Exposure to heavy metals (e.g., cadmium)
• Infectious agents
• Low exposure to ultraviolet light
• Race (African American men have the highest rate)
• Smoking
• Farmers (probably due to pesticide use)
• Airline pilots
• Vietnam veteran