Prostate Cancer Awareness

Prostate Cancer at a Glance | Rise in Advanced Cases | Staying Ahead of the Game

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer | Treating Prostate Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Prostate Cancer Treatment | Recursos en español

Though prostate cancer may not receive as much media attention as breast cancer, it is nearly as common, affecting about 1 in 8 men in their lifetime.

In 2024, about 299,010 men will be newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, more than any type of cancer aside from skin cancer, and about 35,250 men will die from prostate cancer—the most deaths from any cancer in men after lung and bronchus cancer.*

Receiving proper health screenings can be lifesaving. Unfortunately, research shows that men are less likely to visit their primary care doctor than women. A 2022 survey by the Cleveland Clinic revealed that more than half of men surveyed said they do not receive regular health screenings, and 77 percent of men did not know their complete family history regarding urological issues.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) has partnered with the American Urological Association (AUA) to share vital information about the concerning rise in advanced cases of prostate cancer and how men can protect their health and make the most informed decisions about their healthcare. More information is also available at the Prostate Cancer Information Center of the AUA Urology Care Foundation.

*Data from: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2024.

Hear from the Experts

A recording of a virtual Newswise press conference, held on September 11, 2023, is available to view online. The press conference includes commentary from ACS Governor James Eastham, MD, FACS, chief of urology service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Kara Watts, MD, an associate professor of Urology at Montefiore Medical Center, and Kevin Koo, MD, MPH, an associate professor of Urology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Dr. Eastham, Dr. Watts, and Dr. Koo discussed:

Rise in advanced cases of prostate cancer and what men can do to protect their health
Populations most at risk of developing prostate cancer
When men should start being screened for prostate cancer
Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that men should be aware of
Common misconceptions about prostate cancer screening and treatment
Advances in how prostate cancer is treated
Tips for men on how to best advocate for their health

Kara Watts, MD

“Early detection of prostate cancer opens up more treatment options for patients. In fact, some prostate cancers may not need to be treated and can be safely monitored. Long-term data demonstrate a survival benefit to screening for prostate cancer, and I encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your healthcare provider.”

Kevin Koo, MD, MPH

"Some conditions in urology, such as prostate cancer, can be uncomfortable for men to talk about because these conditions may be more intimate or unfamiliar. But that doesn’t mean that they affect patients and their partners and families any less impactfully."

James Eastham, MD, FACS

"I recommend asking your doctor about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. Over the years, we’ve gotten markedly better at using the PSA test to avoid unnecessary biopsies and treatment. We now have the knowledge and tools to monitor men for prostate cancer based on risk."

Prostate Cancer at a Glance

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland, located at the base of the bladder, that makes up part of the male reproductive system. The main job of the prostate and seminal vesicles is to make fluid for semen.

Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland. Not all abnormal growths, also called tumors, are cancerous (malignant). Some growths may be non-cancerous (benign).

Rise in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Why is Screening for Prostate Cancer So Important?

After years of decline, cases of advanced prostate cancer are on the rise. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2023 annual Cancer Facts & Figures report:

The proportion of men diagnosed with advanced-stage prostate cancer has more than doubled over the past 10 years, from 3.9% to 8.2%.
From 2014 to 2019, there was a 3% increase in prostate cancer incidence rate each year, representing 99,000 new cases and the first increase in about 20 years.
This increase may be due, in part, to changes in screening guidelines that may have caused fewer men to get screened earlier.

Screening remains the most effective way to protect against advanced disease. When caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable.

Staying Ahead of the Game

Screening for prostate cancer often starts with a simple blood test known as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which can help detect abnormalities in the prostate. Your doctor may also perform a prostate exam.

The AUA suggests that most men should receive a baseline PSA test between ages 45 to 50 years. Men with a family history or who are at increased risk of prostate cancer, including Black men, should talk to their doctor about screening earlier.

Learn more about the PSA test and another screening method, a digital rectal exam, with resources from the AUA.

"If you take your car for a tune-up twice a year, you should also make sure you're seeing your doctor and having these important conversations to make sure you too are tuned-up."

Kevin Koo, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Urology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Any genetically male patient can develop prostate cancer, but there are additional risk factors that put certain individuals at risk. According to the AUA, factors that increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer include:

Age: As men age, their risk of getting prostate cancer goes up. Harm to the DNA (or genetic material) of prostate cells is more likely for men over the age of 55.
Race and ethnicity: According to the American Cancer Society, the incidence of prostate cancer is about 70% higher in Black men than in White men. Researchers are actively looking into the reasons behind this disparity. In addition, prostate cancer occurs less often in Asian American and Hispanic men than in non-Hispanic White men.
Family History: Men who have a grandfather, father, or brother with prostate cancer face a higher risk of getting the disease. Having family members with breast and ovarian cancer also raises a man’s risk for prostate cancer.
Weight: Studies link being overweight in your 50s and later to a greater risk of advanced prostate cancer. Doctors advise keeping to a healthy weight to reduce risk.

Treating Prostate Cancer

Treatment for prostate cancer will depend on a variety of factors, and some low-risk prostate cancers may only need to be monitored with an approach called active surveillance, or close monitoring with imaging and tests.

According to the AUA, some factors that may determine treatment options include:

Stage and grade of the cancer (Gleason score and TNM stage)
Risk category (whether the cancer is low-, intermediate- or high-risk)
Age and health
Preferences about side effects and long-term effects of treatment
Treatment goals
Results from other diagnostic tests

Some common treatment options for prostate cancer include radiation treatment, hormonal therapy, or surgery. Other emerging treatment options include immunotherapy, which harvests the body’s natural immune system to fight the cancer, and focal therapy, which targets smaller tumors using high-intensity focused ultrasound and other techniques.

Read more on treatment options for prostate cancer, including the surgical management of prostate cancer, from the AUA.

"Just because you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer and are referred to a surgeon, that doesn’t mean you’re going to need surgery right away. If you have what we call a low-risk prostate cancer then we would typically do active surveillance, which involves repeat biopsies and additional monitoring with an MRI and PSA testing."

Chad Ritch, MD, MBA, FACS

Urological Oncologist, University of Miami Health System

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer Treatment

Treatment for prostate cancer has advanced considerably in the past decade, but it can still come with many undesirable side effects that may reduce your quality of life. Having open and honest conversations with your care team about side effects may help you prepare for treatment as well as consider therapies to reduce side effects. Ultimately, decisions should be based on your goals and conversations with your care team. Some questions to consider asking your care team include:

“What treatment is right for me?”
- Your quality of life is equally important as treating your cancer. Some types of prostate cancer may not even need to be treated, but others may require various forms of treatment. Treatments can and should be tailored to your specific type of cancer and your goals.
“How will surgery or treatment affect my quality of life?”
- Treatment for prostate cancer can impact your quality of life, including sexual and urinary function, as well as your balance and cognition. Your doctor can advise on what you can expect during and after treatment. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication or other treatment options, including physical therapy, to help reduce side effects of treatment and maintain your quality of life.

"The first step always starts with bringing any questions or concerns into awareness. If you don't say something about it or the provider doesn't ask, your issues or concerns may not become known. It starts with having a conversation."

Kara Watts, MD

Associate Professor of Urology, Montefiore Medical Center

Recursos en español

Cáncer de próstata estadio temprano: Lo que usted debe saber

AUA/SUO Release an Amendment to the Advanced Prostate Cancer Guideline