New Prostate Cancer Statistics

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, excluding skin cancer.
• American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates for 2010 include 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer in the US.
• Year 2010 estimates include 32,050 deaths occurring from prostate cancer in the US alone, making it the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
• All men are at risk for prostate cancer. The risk increases with age, and family history also increases the risk.
• African American men are more likely to have prostate cancer than Caucasian men, and have nearly a two-fold higher mortality rate than Caucasian men.
  
  The American Cancer Society recommends getting the prostate specific antigen blood test and a digital rectal exam yearly starting at:
  • age 50 for men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy
  • age 45 for men at high risk, such as African-Americans and men who have one or more first-degree relatives (a father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age (younger than 65)
  • age 40 for men at even higher risk, due to multiple first-degree relatives affected at an early age