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Risk factors for prostate cancer

Nature Clinical Practice Urology volume 6, pages 87–95 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

The incidence of prostate cancer continues to increase in the US. Compared with other common cancers such as those of the breast and lung, the causes of prostate cancer remain poorly understood. Research endeavors continue to identify predictors of risk for prostate cancer, of which familial and genetic factors are among the strongest. Known risk factors can show significant heterogeneity in their association with prostate cancer development. However, the identification and further characterization of risk modifiers might provide insight into treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Key Points

  • Prostate cancer remains the most common noncutaneous cancer in men worldwide

  • Risk factors for prostate cancer are numerous and heterogeneous; they include genetic, inflammatory and infectious, androgen-related, dietary, age-related, and ethnic factors that contribute to prostate cancer susceptibility

  • Numerous research endeavors are underway to identify and characterize factors that modify the risk of prostate cancer

  • Modifiable risk factors, once discovered, can be targeted in prostate cancer prevention strategies

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AR Patel is a Urology Resident at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, and EA Klein is Vice Chair at the Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute and Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,

    Amit R Patel & Eric A Klein

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  1. Amit R Patel
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  2. Eric A Klein
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Correspondence to Eric A Klein.

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Patel, A., Klein, E. Risk factors for prostate cancer. Nat Rev Urol 6, 87–95 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro1290

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