Prostate cancer by the numbers
Important Facts About Prostate Cancer
Nearly 100% five year survival rate when prostate cancer is detected early.
29% five year survival rate when prostate cancer is detected at advanced stages.
1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes.
Trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth can develop prostate cancer and should be screened for the disease.
299,010 new prostate cancer cases in the U.S. in 2024, which means more than 5,750 people hear the words “You have prostate cancer” each week.
35,250 deaths in the U.S. from prostate cancer in 2024, meaning that 97 of our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues die from the disease each day.
3.3 million Americans have been successfully treated or are currently being treated for the disease.
66 years old is the median age when U.S. cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed.
32.4% of people diagnosed with prostate cancer are between 55-64 years old.
8.1% of people diagnosed with prostate cancer are between 45-54 years old.
People with a close relative (father, brother, son) diagnosed with prostate cancer face double the risk of developing the disease, while those with two close relatives with the disease are 5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer.
African Americans have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the U.S.
Vietnam and Korean wars era veterans exposed to Agent Orange are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
WHAT TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR
According to the Mayo Clinic, patients visiting their doctor to discuss the results of a prostate cancer screening should come prepared with some questions. Here's what they suggest.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For prostate cancer, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
Do I have prostate cancer?
How large is my prostate cancer?
Has my prostate cancer spread beyond my prostate?
What's my Gleason score?
What's my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level?
Will I need more tests?
What are my treatment options?
Is there one treatment option you think is best for me?
Do I need cancer treatment right away, or is it possible to wait and see if the cancer grows?
What are the potential side effects of each treatment?
What is the chance that my prostate cancer will be cured with treatment?
If you had a friend or family member in my situation, what would you recommend?
Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.
What is the prostate
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, located just below a man's bladder. The urethra, which takes urine from the bladder, is surrounded by the prostate. The prostate functions to produce prostatic fluid, which mixes with fluid from the seminal vesicles to produce semen needed to transport sperm.