Prostate Cancer Facts: Risk Factors

While any man is at risk of developing prostate cancer, some men are at a higher risk than others. There are certain things that may increase your risk of prostate cancer. Most of these risk factors , like age, race and family history, cannot be avoided. However, you do have control over certain lifestyle risk factors, like eating habits.

Known Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

  • Age: Your risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially when you pass age 50. About 67% of prostate cancer cases occur in men older than age 65.
  • Race and Nationality: Black men have an increased risk of prostate cancer. Additionally, black men are more likely than men of other races to be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
    Hispanic men and white men have a similar risk of prostate cancer, and Asian men are less likely than white men to develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer occurs more in North America and northwestern Europe than in Asia, Central American, Africa and South America.
  • Family History of Prostate Cancer: If you have a history of prostate cancer in your family, you are at an increased risk of prostate cancer. If you have a brother or father who has had prostate cancer, your risk is more than doubled. This risk is even higher if you have multiple relatives who have had prostate cancer, and if any of your relatives developed prostate cancer at an early age.
  • Genetic Factors: Inheriting certain gene mutations (changes) may increase your risk of prostate cancer. Genetic testing is not available yet for these prostate cancer genes.
  • Eating Habits: If you consume a lot of high-fat dairy products or red meat but little fruits and vegetables, you may have an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Uncertain Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

  • Calcium Intake: Some research studies have shown that men who consume a lot of calcium may have a slightly increased risk of prostate cancer. However, most studies have found this to be untrue in men consuming average amounts of calcium. And, it is important to consider the health benefits of calcium.
  • Vasectomy: Some research studies have shown that men who have had vasectomies may have a slightly increased risk of prostate cancer. Research on this link between vasectomies and prostate cancer is ongoing, and recent studies have not found a connection.
  • Overweight: In most studies, exercise has not been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk. A recent study from Harvard School of Public Health, however, found that men over age 65 who exercise vigorously had a lower rate of prostate cancer.

Reducing Your Risk of Prostate Cancer

There is no proven way to prevent prostate cancer. However, there are things you may be able to do to reduce your risk of prostate cancer.

  • Improving Eating Habits: Limiting your consumption of red meats, high-fat meats and processed meats may help decrease your risk of prostate cancer. Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and increasing your consumption of grains, cereals, breads, pasta, rice and beans also may help. Plus, eating more tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit - which have antioxidants may help prevent DNA damage and decrease your risk of prostate cancer.
  • Medications: Certain prescription drugs may help decrease your risk of prostate cancer. These drugs are still being tested in ongoing research studies, so it is important to discuss these drugs with your doctor.

Since there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, it is important to get regular screening to try and catch prostate cancer early. Learn more about early detection on our Prostate Cancer Facts: Screening And Early Detection page.



IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Taxotere® treatment can cause serious, physically limiting, and potentially life-threatening side effects, such as infection, low blood-cell counts, allergic reaction, and retention of excess fluid (edema).

Taxotere® should not be given to patients with low white–blood-cell counts, abnormal liver function, or a history of allergic reactions to Taxotere® or any of the ingredients in Taxotere®.

Before each Taxotere® treatment, all patients treated with Taxotere® must receive another medicine called dexamethasone. This drug can help reduce the risk of fluid retention (edema) and allergic reactions.

Taxotere® should be administered only under the supervision of a qualified physician experienced in the use of anticancer treatments. Appropriate management of complications is possible only when adequate diagnostic and treatment facilities are readily available.

Treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplasia has occurred in patients given anthracyclines and/or cyclophosphamide, including use with Taxotere® in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.

The most common severe side effects are low white–blood-cell count, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, and mouth and throat irritation. Low white–blood-cell count can lead to life-threatening infections. The earliest sign of infection may be fever, so tell your doctor right away if you have a fever.

Other common side effects from Taxotere® include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, rash, infusion-site reactions, odd sensations (such as numbness, tingling, or burning) or weakness in the hands and feet, nail changes, muscle and/or bone pain, or excessive tearing.

Because of the potential risk of fetal harm, pregnant women should not receive Taxotere®. Women of childbearing potential should avoid becoming pregnant during treatment with Taxotere®.

Before receiving Taxotere®, tell your doctor if

  • You have any allergies
  • You are taking any other medicines — including nonprescription (over-the-counter) drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements

When taking Taxotere®, contact your doctor if

  • You have symptoms of an allergic reaction (warm sensation, tightness in your chest, itching/hives, or shortness of breath)
  • You experience any other side effects

Please see accompanying full prescribing information, including boxed WARNING.

Click here for information on drug anti-counterfeiting.

Taxotere® (docetaxel) Injection Concentrate Indications

Breast Cancer
TAXOTERE® is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer after failure of prior chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of patients with operable node-positive breast cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
TAXOTERE®, as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of prior platinum-based chemotherapy
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin is indicated for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC who have not previously received chemotherapy for this condition.

Prostate Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with prednisone is indicated for the treatment of patients with androgen independent (hormone refractory) metastatic prostate cancer.

Gastric Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the treatment of patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, including adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction, who have not received prior chemotherapy for advanced disease.

Head and Neck Cancer
TAXOTERE® in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil is indicated for the induction treatment of patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).