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Print: Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer.
Although men of any age can get prostate cancer, it is found most often in men older than 50 years of age. In fact, more than 8 out of 10 men who have prostate cancer are older than 65 years of age.
For unknown reasons, African-American men are at higher risk than Caucasian men. Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk, too. In this case, family history means that your father or a brother had prostate cancer.
Men who are obese and eat a diet high in fat are also at a higher risk for prostate cancer.
Should I get screened for prostate cancer?
There are advantages and disadvantages to screening for prostate cancer. You should talk to your doctor about whether or not you should be screened. Your doctor will help assess the balance of risks and benefits to screening based on factors like your age, family history and current health.
Next: Diagnosis & Tests
Source
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer: Evaluating the Evidence by V Bhatnagar, RM Kaplan (American Family Physician May 15, 2005, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050515/1915.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 01/11
Created: 01/99
