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Prostate Cancer Facts

  • Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men.

  • 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer---nearly 192,000 US men in 2020!

  • A man is more likely to develop prostate cancer than he is to develop colon, kidney, melanoma and stomach cancers COMBINED. 

  • Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men---more than 33,000 US men will die in 2020.

  • A man is more likely to die from prostate cancer than any other cancer except lung cancer.

  • Risk factors include older age, family history, genetic factors, race, lifestyle and diet.

  • Men with relatives with a history of prostate cancer may be twice as likely to develop the disease.

  • Risk increases with age.  About 60% of cases are in men over 65. 

  • Symptoms occur with advanced disease, and can include problems urinating, blood in urine, or bone pain. 

  • Most men have no symptoms---so it is important to consider screening.

  • Late stage prostate cancer is often incurable and causes pain and other problems.

  • When found early, it is treatable and very curable.

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Prostate Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society recommends that men have a chance to make an informed decision with their health care provider about whether to be screened for prostate cancer.  

 

Screening should be considered starting at:

  • Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and are expected to live at least 10 more years.

  • Age 45 for men at high risk of developing prostate cancer. This includes African Americans and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65).

  • Age 40 for men at even higher risk (those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age).

 

Screening involves a blood test for PSA. 

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made by cells in the prostate gland (both normal cells and cancer cells).

Screening can be yearly or every two years, depending on initial level and risk factors. 

It should continue for as long as a man has a life expectancy of at least 10 years. 

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Treatment options for early stage prostate cancer are surgery and radiation therapy. 

Advanced prostate cancer treatment may also involve hormones or chemotherapy. 

Not all men require treatment, and some can have their cancers observed—called Active Surveillance. 

But we don’t know which men need treatment if they are not screened. 

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