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Basic Information

The Burden of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer (other than some forms of skin cancer) and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the United States, after lung cancer.¹ About 62% of all clinically diagnosed prostate cancers occur in men over age 65.¹

In 2004 (the most recent year for which data are available), 189,075 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in the United States, and 29,002 men died of the cancer.*¹

As compared to white men, African American men experience higher rates of prostate cancer, while the disease occurs less frequently among Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native men.¹ In addition, Hispanic men are at greater risk than non-Hispanics.

The incidence of prostate cancer in the United States significantly decreased in the early 1990s but has remained level since 1995.²

Deaths from prostate cancer have declined significantly since the early 1990s.²

*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

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

²Espey DK, Wu X, Swan J, Wiggins C, Jim M, Ward E, Wingo PA, Howe HL, Ries LAG, Miller BA, Jemal A, Ahmed F, Cobb N, Kaur JS, Edwards BK. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2004, featuring cancer in American Indians and Alaska natives. Cancer 2007;110(10):2119–2152.