Articles
Prostate cancer screening: Should you get a PSA test?
Simple test, not-so-simple decision
When elevated PSA isn't cancer
When prostate cancer doesn't increase PSA
Digital rectal examination
Think about your risk factors for prostate cancer
Consider the varying viewpoints: What are the recommendations?
How does it add up?
Content
What is PSA?
What increases the risk of prostate cancer?
What are the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening?
What's the advantage of a PSA test?
What's risky about a PSA test?
What do experts recommend?
What increases the risk of prostate cancer?
Knowing the risk factors for prostate cancer can help you determine if and when you want to begin prostate cancer screening. The main risk factors include:
- Age. As you get older, your risk of prostate cancer increases. After age 50, your chance of having prostate cancer is increased.
- Race. For reasons that aren't well-understood, black men have a higher risk of developing and dying of prostate cancer.
- Family history. If a close family member — your father, uncle or brother — was diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, your risk of the disease is greater than average.
- Inherited gene mutations. Gene mutations associated with prostate cancer risk include BRCA1 and BRCA2. These genes are most closely associated with breast cancer, but they increase the risk of other types of cancer, too. Your doctor might recommend considering genetic testing if you have a strong family history of cancer or if a blood relative has been diagnosed with a gene mutation.
- Diet. A diet that's high in animal fats and low in vegetables may increase your risk of prostate cancer.
