After skin cancers, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American men. However, rates of prostate cancer vary among different groups of people.
All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer but that risk increases significantly as men grow older. Other risk factors include family history, exposure to chemicals, and race. Unfortunately, Black men have a higher risk for developing prostate cancer and dying of the disease. Learn more about prostate cancer risk.
Knowing how many men are affected by prostate cancer, as well as basic facts and figures, may help you better understand this disease and feel comfortable spreading awareness to those around you.
Prostate Cancer Fact Sheet Prostate Cancer By The Numbers InfographicBlack Men And Prostate Cancer By The Numbers Infographic
General Prostate Cancer Statistics in the U.S.
- 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed in 2023
- A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every 2 minutes
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime
- Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men
- 34,700 men are expected to die from prostate cancer in 2023
- A man dies from prostate cancer every 15 minutes
- Today, there are more than 3.1 million prostate cancer survivors
- The relative 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer diagnosed in its earliest stages is nearly 100%
- The 5-year survival rate for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer drops to 32%
Prostate Cancer in the Black/African American Community
- Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men
- Black men are 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men
- 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime
You can learn more about how prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black and African American men by visiting our Achieving Health Equity in Prostate Cancer section.
Prostate Cancer in the Hispanic/Latino Community
- 1 in 9 Hispanic men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Hispanic/Latino men in the U.S.
- Hispanic men are less likely to be diagnosed with and die from prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men and non-Hispanic Black men
- However, prostate cancer mortality rates among men in Puerto Rico are 40% higher than those in non-Hispanic white men
For more information on prostate cancer in Hispanic men, read this blog from the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Prostate Cancer in the Asian/Pacific Islander Community
- Asian and Pacific Islander (API) men are less likely to be diagnosed with or die from prostate cancer than men from every other racial group in the U.S.
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in API men
- There are many different ethnic groups in the API community. While most API ethnic groups have lower prostate cancer incidence rates than non-Hispanic white men, Samoan men have a higher incidence rate
Prostate Cancer in the American Indian/Alaska Native Community
- American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) men are less likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white, Black, or Hispanic men
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in AIAN men
- The prostate cancer death rate for AIAN men is the second highest among racial groups, behind only the rate for Black men
Prostate Cancer in the Veteran Community
- 1 in 5 Veterans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis among U.S. Veterans
- Prostate cancer incidence rates in the military are nearly twice those of the general population
Learn more by visiting our section on prostate cancer in Veterans.
Prostate Cancer in the LGBTQIA+ Community
- Gay and bisexual men have no increased risk of prostate cancer compared to straight men
- Gay and bisexual men report a greater negative impact on physical and psychosocial quality of life from prostate cancer than straight men
- More information is needed on prostate cancer and transgender women. However, trans women receiving androgen deprivation therapy and/or estrogens as part of their transition appear to be at lower risk of prostate cancer than the general male population
Learn more by visiting LGBTQIA+ Community and Prostate Cancer.
Sources
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2023. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People 2022-2024. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, 2022.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2021-2023. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2021.
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2016: Special Section: Cancer in Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Atlanta: American Cancer Society, Inc. 2016.
Prostate Cancer Foundation. Prostate Cancer Patient Guide Appendix: Special Consideration for Gay and Bisexual Men and Trans Women. 2022