A-Z Cancer Risks, Preventive Measures and Warning Signs Prostate Examinations Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in American men. Any man can get prostate cancer, but some men are at higher risk.
Age is the most important risk factor.
Prostate cancer rates increase progressively with age. The disease is rare before age 50. Other risk factors include family history of prostate cancer on either the mother's or father's side and being of African-American heritage. African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. The American Cancer Society recommends that all men 50 years of age or older, and men over the age of 40 with one of the other risk factors have an annual prostate check-up which includes a digital rectal exam and PSA blood test.