Individuals who are assigned male at birth and develop prostate cancer are more likely than other males with similar origins to have certain risk factors for the disease. A risk factor increases the chance of developing a disease.
Prostate cancer risk factors
Although the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, certain factors can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer:
- Age. Prostate cancer is rare in individuals assigned male at birth under the age of 50. The risk of prostate cancer increases as they get older."
- Family history of prostate cancer. Individuals who are assigned male at birth and have a brother and/or father, also assigned male at birth, with prostate cancer, have a higher risk for prostate cancer.
- Race. Prostate cancer occurs more often in Black individuals who are assigned male at birth than in persons assigned male at birth of other races, and it can happen at an earlier age in Black males.
This does not mean individuals assigned male at birth who have one or more of these factors will develop prostate cancer, but they should speak with a physician about their risk.
Prostate cancer risk assessment
Individuals assigned male at birth who have conditions that put them at risk for prostate cancer may benefit from consulting with their physician to determine their risk. If you are at a higher risk for prostate cancer, you may consider getting screened for prostate cancer.
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Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.