Prostate cancer is a slow-growing and predictable malignancy. If not treated, it can metastasize to nearby lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and bone. Clients should discuss the risks and benefits of screening for prostate cancer (eg, checking serum prostate-specific antigen) with their health care provider. Certain factors place clients at greater risk, and early screening can detect prostate cancer before it becomes invasive (metastasizes). The nurse should educate clients about risk factors. Nonmodifiable risk factors (eg, those the client cannot control) include African American ethnicity, having a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, and increasing age (>50) (Options 1, 4, and 5).

Clients can lower the risk for prostate cancer by avoiding modifiable (ie, those the client can control) risk factors, which include:

• Diet high in red meat, animal fat, high-fat dairy products, and refined carbohydrates (Option 2)
• Low fiber intake
• Obesity (Option 3) Long-term use of NSAIDs (eg, aspirin, ibuprofen) can be a protective factor against certain types of cancer (eg, colorectal, prostate).However, before regularly taking NSAIDs, clients should speak with their health care provider because NSAIDs can increase the risk for adverse effects (eg, cardiovascular disease, bleeding).

Educational objective: Risk factors for developing prostate cancer include African American ethnicity, having a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, increasing age (>50), and a diet high in red meat, animal fat, high-fat dairy products, and refined carbohydrates