John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Prostate cancer - Statistics & Facts
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the United States. In 2024, it was estimated that there would be around 299,010 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States, an increase from 192,280 new cases in the year 2009. Common symptoms of prostate cancer include difficulty urinating, blood in semen, and erectile dysfunction. It is unclear what causes prostate cancer, but known risk factors include age, obesity, family history, and race/ethnicity. The incidence rate of prostate cancer is highest among non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic whites, with rates of 189 and 115 per 100,000 population, respectively.
Deaths due to prostate cancer
The probability that a man develops prostate cancer during his lifetime was 12.9 percent from 2017 to 2019. However, the probability of surviving at least the first five years after a diagnosis of prostate cancer is extremely high, depending on the stage at diagnosis. Those diagnosed at the local and regional stages have a 100 percent chance of surviving the first five years, though this drops to only 37 percent for those diagnosed at the distant stage. The death rate from prostate cancer in the United States has generally decreased over the last two decades and was estimated at around 19 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. Although prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men, it is the second deadliest, behind lung and bronchus cancer.Prevention and treatment
The risk of prostate cancer is thought to be decreased through a healthy diet, exercise, and healthy weight. Regular prostate cancer screenings are not recommended for younger men who do not show any symptoms, but should be considered for men aged 50 years and above. In 2021, about 46 percent of men aged 65 years and older reported having a prostate cancer test within the past year. Once diagnosed, common treatment methods include surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.
