Prostate cancer rates rising, notably in Black men. Early screening is crucial. How might this affect your screening practices?
New numbers from the American Cancer Society show prostate cancer trends are moving in the wrong direction.
For years, prostate cancer rates in the U.S. were declining. But now, they’re rising again—up about 3% every year from 2014 – 2021, according to a new study. And the biggest increases are in advanced-stage disease, which is much harder to treat.
Men diagnosed early have nearly a 100% five-year survival rate. But for late-stage disease, survival drops to 38%.
While prostate cancer mortality is still declining, the pace has slowed—from 3–4% a year in the 1990s and 2000s to less than 1% a year in the past decade.
The study also reveals Black men are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer as White men. Native American men also face higher death rates despite lower incidence.
The authors urge men to talk with their doctors about screening. The American Cancer Society recommends starting that conversation at age 50—or at age 45 for Black men and those with a family history.
The American Cancer Society’s advocacy arm is also pushing for legislation to make prostate cancer screening more affordable, especially for those at highest risk.
It’s estimated more than 313,700 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2025.
Sources: CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians
Author Affiliations: American Cancer Society
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