Hereditary Prostate Cancer

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located in the pelvis, below the bladder and near the rectum. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that occurs in men and people assigned male at birth. 

How common is prostate cancer?

The average risk for prostate cancer in men is about 12.8%. This means that about 1 out of 8 men will develop prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime. Some people have a higher-than-average risk for prostate cancer due to certain risk factors. 

Who is at risk for prostate cancer?

All people assigned male at birth are at risk for prostate cancer; the risk varies based on multiple factors, including:

• age
• race: Black people have the highest risk for prostate cancer of any group
• presence of an inherited mutation
• personal and family history of cancer

Factors such as diet, weight, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and environmental exposures have been studied for their effect on prostate cancer risk with mixed results. More research is needed to understand how much these factors influence prostate cancer risk.

Is prostate cancer genetic?

All prostate cancers are caused by damage to genes in the cells of the prostate. Most of this damage happens during the course of a person's lifetime. 

Some prostate cancers are hereditary. These are caused by inherited mutations that are present at birth and can be passed on from parents to their children. Genetic counseling and testing can help people learn if they are at high risk. 

Are all prostate cancers hereditary?

About 10% of prostate cancer is hereditary, which means it's caused by an inherited mutation linked to cancer risk. Genetic counseling and testing can help people learn if they are at high risk. Mutations in the genes below increase prostate cancer risk and can cause cancer to run in families. 

Genes linked to hereditary prostate cancer risk

Mutations in the following genes have been linked to hereditary prostate cancer.

What type of prostate cancer screening is best for high-risk people?

Experts have guidelines for screening people at high risk for prostate cancer. These guidelines differ based on a person's age, personal and family medical history and gene mutation. Visit this page for more information. 

Can an inherited mutation change prostate cancer treatment options?

Yes. People with prostate cancer who test positive for an inherited mutation may have additional treatment options. Some targeted therapies work better in people with certain mutations. Clinical trials testing new options may also be available. Visit this page for more information about prostate cancer treatment options. 

How are hereditary prostate cancers different?

Hereditary prostate cancers are more likely to occur at a young age. Some are more aggressive, and more likely to spread. Hereditary cancers may respond better to certain types of treatment. You can learn more about treatment options for hereditary prostate cancers here.