Editor's note: Try to understand why whites and blacks are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Asian Americans. Is it because of the genetics or lifestyle?  Studies have already suggested something to help people understand what may boost the risk.  But don't count on physicians to prevent the disease as they are trained to treat, not to prevent. The best they can do is help diagnose the disease early. But studies show early diagnosis does not seem to cut much of the death risk.

Talk to your doctor about being screened for prostate cancer.

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system, and is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut. The job of the prostate is to produce fluid that makes up a part of semen.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men regardless of race or ethnicity, but it is more common in some racial and ethnic groups. Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men than in white men.1 It is less common in Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American men than in white men.1

In the United States in 2006 (the most recent year for which numbers are available), 203,415 men developed prostate cancer, and 28,372 men died from the disease.1

Among men in the United States, the number of new cases of prostate cancer has decreased significantly by 2.4% per year from 2000 to 2006.2 The number of deaths from prostate cancer has decreased significantly by 4.1% per year from 1994 to 2006.2

*Incidence counts cover approximately 96% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

Informed Decision Making

Prostate cancer screening means looking for cancer before it causes symptoms. Not all medical experts agree that screening for prostate cancer will save lives. Currently, there is not enough evidence to decide if the potential benefit of prostate cancer screening outweighs the potential risks. CDC supports informed decision making. Informed decision making occurs when a man—

  • Understands the nature and risk of prostate cancer.
  • Understands the risks of, benefits of, and alternatives to screening.
  • Participates in the decision to be screened or not at a level he desires.
  • Makes a decision consistent with his preferences and values.

References:

  1. U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2010. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.
  2. Edwards BK, Ward E, Kohler BA, Eheman C, Zauber AG, Anderson RN, Jemal A, Schymura MJ, Lansdorp-Vogelaar I, Seeff LC, van Ballegooijen M, Goede SL, Ries LA. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2006, featuring colorectal cancer trends and impact of interventions (risk factors, screening, and treatment) to reduce future rates.Cancer 2010;116(3):544–573.