Prostate cancer has a complex etiology, and multiple factors have been identified which increase the risk for developing this malignancy. In addition to the non-modifiable genetic component, various potentially modifiable environmental influences have also been linked with prostate cancer risk enhancement. Age, race, familial tendency and genetic aberrations are some of the established risk factors for prostate cancer while the complex interplay of environmental factors such as dietary content also appears to contribute to prostate cancer.

The current state of knowledge on the risk factors for prostate cancer has been reviewed in this work.