If you have risk factors for developing prostate cancer, you may need to begin screening tests at a younger age
A risk factor is anything that increases your risk for developing a condition or disease. Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age. Your risk of getting prostate cancer increases as you get older. The average age at diagnosis is 68, and most men — 99% of them — are over age 50.
- Your family history. Having family members diagnosed with prostate cancer — especially a close relative like a father, brother or son.
- Race. African American cisgender men have a higher risk than white cisgender men of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and are two-times more likely to die from the disease.
- Inherited gene changes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, or having Lynch syndrome, a condition associated with increased risk for several cancers, including prostate.
- Exposure to Agent Orange. Vietnam veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during military service are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Please talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening and how it may benefit you.
Learn about prostate cancer screening
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