Fast Facts

Not counting some forms of skin cancer, prostate cancer in the United States is—

• The most common cancer in men, no matter your race or ethnicity.
• The second most common cause of death from cancer among white, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanic men.
• The third most common cause of death from cancer among Asian/Pacific Islander men.
• More common in African-American men compared to white men.
• Less common in American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian/Pacific Islander men compared to white men.
• More common in Hispanic men compared to non-Hispanic men.

In 2005 (the most recent year for which numbers are available)—

• 185,895 men developed prostate cancer.*
• 28,905 men died from prostate cancer.*

If you want to know more about prostate cancer numbers, visit Prostate Cancer Statistics and Cancer Among Men.

*Incidence counts cover approximately 96% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

Data source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.