SUMMARY:
Prostate cancer risk is influenced by both well-known and lesser-known factors, including age, family history, high-heat cooked meats, adolescent height, and certain occupational exposures. While these factors do not directly cause prostate cancer, research suggests they may increase the likelihood of developing the disease. Understanding these risks can help men make informed lifestyle choices and discuss appropriate screening with their healthcare provider.
Introduction: Know your risk factors
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men. It is estimated that 1 out of 8 men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. The Sperling Prostate Center wants men to be informed about risk factors, both those that are commonly known as well as those that may come as a surprise.
What are common risk factors for prostate cancer?
Organizations like the American Cancer Society, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, identify the most common risk factors as
- Age – most prostate cancer is found in men older than 65
- Race/ethnicity – statistics show that men of African ancestry are more prone to develop prostate cancer, and at younger ages
- Family history – having a first-degree male family member (father, brother) increases risk; also, a first-degree female family member (mother, sister) with breast cancer is linked with higher risk
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- Certain inherited gene mutations
Although a risk factor increases the chances of a disease, it is not necessarily the cause of the disease. According to Johns Hopkins, “Knowing about risk factors can help you make choices that might help lower your risk. For instance, if an unhealthy diet is a risk factor, you may choose to eat healthy foods.”
Are there other risk factors that are not commonly known?
In addition to the above common risk factors, there are three surprising risk factors that many men may not be aware of:
- Meat cooked over high heat
- Height during adolescence
- Occupational hazards.
These risk factors are less common, and therefore less widely known. While exposure to these factors does not mean they cause prostate cancer, they can raise the chances of getting it.
Is eating meat cooked over high heat connected with prostate cancer risk?
As Dr. Dan Sperling cites in a blog, “High temperature cooking, including grilling, broiling, barbecuing and pan-frying, changes the actual chemistry in beef, pork, chicken, fish and pretty much every other type of animal flesh.”
When animal flesh is exposed to high heat, especially grilling, broiling and barbecuing, a chemical reaction creates the formation of new molecules. Two key types are heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). PAH is also formed when meats are smoked, and these compounds exist in tobacco smoke as well.
In themselves, HAA and PAH are not known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). However, when they interact with natural enzymes in our bodies, they appear to influence gene mutations having the potential to cause cancer.[i]
How is height during adolescence linked with prostate cancer risk?
Some studies have found a correlation between adult height (taller men) and prostate cancer incidence.[ii] However, other researchers have examined height/growth rate in childhood and adolescence to see if there is a connection with prostate cancer risk.
A 2018 paper by Alimujiang, et al. explored “childhood diet, body mass index (BMI), birth length, and childhood height in relation to PCa risk factors,” reasoning that developmental factors may form a basis for later prostate cancer risk. “Our findings suggest that both childhood diet and growth potential/growth contribute to earlier pubertal timing and taller attained height in males, supporting roles of these factors in PCa development.”[iii]
While the exact biochemistry is unclear, Zuccolo et al. (2008) write, “Height, a marker of childhood environmental exposures, is positively associated with prostate cancer risk, perhaps through the insulin-like growth factor system.” In fact, their work suggests that tallness may even be correlated with more aggressive prostate cancers.[iv]
Do some occupations pose a greater risk of prostate cancer?
It may come as a surprise to learn that some occupations increase prostate cancer risk. For example, firefighters are regularly exposed to hazardous chemicals released by burning materials. Members of the military may be exposed to “ionizing radiation, polychlorinated biphenyls, burn pits, dust storms, metals, other chemicals, as well as alcohol and tobacco use.”[v]
Besides exposure to carcinogens, some jobs can put men’s prostate glands at risk by sitting around all day. Desk jobs involve hours of sedentary behavior, and lack of exercise has long been linked not only with weight gain and cardiovascular disease, but also with prostate cancer.[vi] In fact, Dr. Sperling writes, “…jobs that involve occupational physical activity can reduce prostate cancer risk by 19%.”
Is it important to know about prostate cancer risks?
In addition to the main prostate cancer risks consistently cited by national organizations and clinical centers of excellence, many men may unknowingly be putting their prostate glands on the line. Dr. Dan Sperling and his team at the Sperling Prostate Center strive to promote research-backed information in order to help men lower their risk of developing prostate cancer.
Besides offering top-shelf MRI-based detection, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, Dr. Sperling is committed to raising awareness about preventing it altogether. His men’s health blog posts are aimed at educating men on wellness practices that men can incorporate in their daily lives. He emphasizes doctor-patient discussion, stating, “Know your risks so you can empower yourself to change them.”
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can all prostate cancer be prevented?
A: Unfortunately, not every case of prostate cancer can be prevented or avoided. Although a huge body of published research supports lifestyle choices shown to reduce the incidence of prostate cancer, two areas remain that have yet to be conquered: a) risk factors that a man carries in his own body, such as inherited genes or biochemical abnormalities, and b) environmental factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, exposure to toxic substances, etc. As of this writing, it is not possible to prevent all prostate cancer.
Q: How can I know if I carry risks in my own body?
A: If you’re not sure, you can start by taking a short quiz such as the one offered by prostatecanceruk or the prostatecancerfoundation. These are not clinically diagnostic, but can give you a general idea. More importantly, talk with your primary care doctor who is familiar with your health history and lifestyle. Remember, even if you have inherited risk factors, you can make positive changes in your daily habits to reduce your risks of many diseases, including prostate cancer.
Q: I’m not aware that I have any risk factors. Do I still need to get my PSA checked?
A: It’s great that you have no known risk factors, but it is important to have an annual PSA test starting at your recommended age. Estimates suggest that 1 out of 8 men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime, and the earlier it is detected, the more successfully it can be treated in ways that greatly lower the risk of side effects. Remember, early prostate cancer has no symptoms. Don’t wait for them to start!
Content reviewed by Dr. Dan Sperling, M.D., DABR — updated July 2026.
NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.
References
[i] Wen Y, Yang J, Su Y, Chen S, Zheng S, Zhu S, Chen G and Zhan S (2026) PhIP-driven prostate cancer involves key molecular regulators and immune microenvironment modulation. Front. Immunol. 17:1782240.
[ii] Zuccolo L, Harris R, Gunnell D, Oliver S et al. Height and prostate cancer risk: a large nested case-control study (ProtecT) and meta-analysis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2008 Sep;17(9):2325-36.
[iii] Alimujiang A, Colditz GA, Gardner JD, Park Y et al. Childhood diet and growth in boys in relation to timing of puberty and adult height: the Longitudinal Studies of Child Health and Development. Cancer Causes Control. 2018 Oct;29(10):915-926.
[iv] Zuccolo, ibid.
[v] Lawrence, Leah. “US Military Service may Impact Risk of Certain Cancers.” Cancer Therapy Adviser, Sep. 27, 2023. https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/home/cancer-topics/general-oncology/us-military-service-may-impact-risk-of-certain-cancers/
[vi] Sritharan J, MacLeod JS, McLeod CB, Peter A, Demers PA. Prostate cancer risk by occupation in the Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS) in Ontario, Canada. Health Promot Chronic Dis Prev Can. 2019 May;39(5):178- 186.
About Dr. Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
