Studies of the genetic influences on prostate cancer have indicated that there are familial genes that account for only a small fraction of the genetic components of prostate cancer. Many investigators have investigated the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes with an increased risk in prostate cancer. The types of candidates examined include genes in steroid metabolism, oxidative stress, and DNA repair as well as common variants of genes found by family studies. These analyses have identified some SNPs that are associated with prostate cancer risk. A complete genetic snapshot of prosatate cancer risk will only be obtained when all the genetic risk factors are identified and combined with other known markers of risk.