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Basic Information

The Burden of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer, other than some kinds of skin cancer, among men in the United States. In 2004,* 189,075 men in this country were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 29,002 men died of the disease.¹ In fact, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, after lung cancer, and the seventh leading cause of death overall for men in this country.

• The incidence of prostate cancer in the United States remained level from 1995–2004.²
• The incidence of prostate cancer among African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic men remained level from 1995–2004.²
• Deaths from prostate cancer in the United States decreased significantly by 4.0% per year from 1994–2004.²
• More than 60% of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men aged 65 years or older.¹
• African-American men die of prostate cancer more often than do men in any other racial/ethnic group.¹

*Incidence counts cover approximately 98% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

For more information, please see Prostate Cancer Screening: A Decision Guide.

References

1. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2004 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2007.



2. Ries LAG, et al (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2004, National Cancer Institute, 2007