Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can often be found early through screening tests. The American Cancer Society recommends discussions about PC screening begin at2:
- Age 50 for men who are at average risk of prostate cancer
- Age 45 for men who are at high risk
- Includes African Americans and people with a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than age 65)
- Age 40 at an even higher risk
- Includes those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age
In addition to the physical toll, a prostate cancer diagnosis can bring tremendous emotional strain to individuals and families—particularly when it is in the later stages. Managing the uncertainty that comes with a diagnosis and trying to understand treatment options can add to this stress.
For some individuals, taking control and learning about prostate cancer and the treatment journey can help. Taking steps to learn about your healthcare team, including a urologist, medical oncologist and/or radiation oncologist, or to learn about biomarkers such as PSMA can be reassuring.
Key Statistics to Know About Prostate Cancer:
- About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime1
- About 6 in 10 prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older, and it is rare in men under 401
- The average age of men when they are first diagnosed is about 671
- Prostate cancer risk is also higher in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races1
- For military Veterans living in the US, the numbers are higher, with 1 in 5 receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer, making it the most common cancer diagnosis among those who served their country3,4
- For people with localized or regional prostate cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate – which compares people with the same type and stage of cancer to people in the overall population – is 99%5
- However, for distant-stage prostate cancer (which is when cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or bones), the 5-year relative survival rate drops to 34%5
- PSMA is a biomarker that is found in more than 80% of men with prostate cancer and may provide helpful information for evaluating treatment options6,7