Prostate cancer occurs most often in African and northern European ethnic groups. It is less common in American Indian and Asian men. A man's risk is higher if his father or brother had prostate cancer. Men who have had a vasectomy , who smoke , or who have been exposed to a metal called cadmium may also be at an increased risk. As yet, prostate cancer cannot be completely prevented.
Prostate screening with exams and blood tests helps with early diagnosis.
The American Cancer Society, also called ACS, recommends that a digital rectal exam be offered every year to men 50 years of age or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. A digital rectal exam involves a healthcare provider inserting his or her finger into a man's rectum to check if the patient's prostate is enlarged. The ACS also recommends that a prostate-specific antigen test, also called a PSA blood test, be offered every year to men 50 years of age or older who have a life expectancy of at least 10 years. ACS recommends that screening start at the age of 45 years for African American men or men with a family history of prostate cancer. Good dietary choices may also help prevent prostate cancer.