Prostate Cancer: Statistics

What are statistics?

Some people use numbers called statistics to figure out their chances of getting cancer. Or they use them to try to figure out their chance of being cured. Because no 2 people are alike, statistics can’t be used to predict what will happen to 1 person. The statistics below describe large groups of people. They do not take into account a person's own risk factors, such as family history, behaviors, or cancer screenings. If you have questions, talk with your healthcare provider.

What are the statistics for prostate cancer?

• The rate of prostate cancer is higher in African-American men than white men. African-American men are also more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer. The reasons why are not known. But some risk factors may play a part, such as differences in genes.

• About 164,690 men in the U.S. will get prostate cancer in 2018. It is the most common cancer in men, not including skin cancer. Nearly 2 out of 3 of these men will be age 65 or older.

• Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the U.S. after lung cancer. About 29,430 men will die of prostate cancer in 2018.

Source: American Cancer Society