The American Cancer Society (ACS) released its Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2025 report, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. The study highlights concerning trends: incidence rates, once declining, are now rising, while mortality reductions have slowed significantly.
Researchers stress urgent action to address disparities and improve early detection.
Reversal in Incidence Trends
From 2007 to 2014, prostate cancer incidence declined by 6.4% annually. However, between 2014 and 2021, rates increased by 3% each year.
The sharpest growth occurred in advanced-stage diagnoses, which rose 4.6% to 4.8% annually. This reversal marks a troubling shift in national cancer patterns and disease management.
Slowing Progress in Mortality
During the 1990s and 2000s, prostate cancer mortality declined by 3% to 4% annually. In the past decade, however, declines slowed to just 0.6% each year.
This stagnation suggests current strategies may be insufficient, underscoring the need for improved detection and treatment approaches to save more lives.
Burden in 2025
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer among men in the United States. In 2025, ACS estimates 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths.
The disease now accounts for 30% of all male cancers and ranks second only to lung cancer in male cancer mortality nationwide.
Age and Stage of Diagnosis
The study revealed concerning increases in distant-stage disease across all age groups. Rates rose nearly 3% per year among men younger than 55 and 6% annually among those 55 and older.
While early-stage diagnoses have nearly 100% survival rates, distant-stage cases have only a 38% five-year survival rate.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Racial disparities remain stark. Mortality is twice as high in Black men compared to White men, despite incidence being 67% higher.
Native American men experience 12% higher mortality than White men, even with lower incidence. These differences emphasize inequities in diagnosis, access to care, and treatment outcomes.
Disparities in Disease Stage
American Indian and Alaska Native men face the highest risk of advanced-stage diagnoses, with 12% of cases detected at a distant stage compared to 8% in White men.
Later detection is linked to significantly worse survival outcomes, highlighting urgent needs for earlier intervention and equitable access to screening.
Geographic Variations in Mortality
Prostate cancer mortality also varies by state. Washington, D.C., reports the highest rate at 27.5 deaths per 100,000 men, followed by Mississippi at 24.8.
Both regions have higher proportions of Black residents, underscoring the intersection of racial disparities, geographic distribution, and community-specific access to healthcare resources.
Expert Perspectives
Tyler Kratzer, MPH, lead author, stressed the importance of renewed research into prostate cancer causes and optimized detection strategies.
He reiterated ACS guidelines: men should discuss screening with their healthcare provider at age 50, while Black men and those with family history should begin conversations at age 45.
Call for Equitable Early Detection
Rebecca Siegel, MPH, senior author, emphasized ensuring early diagnosis strategies reach Black and Native American communities. She noted that minimizing over-detection while prioritizing at-risk groups is critical.
“All men deserve the same opportunity to survive this common cancer,” she said, urging targeted approaches to close survival gaps.
Policy Solutions in Progress
The ACS Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) advocates for the PSA Screening for HIM Act, federal legislation that would remove out-of-pocket costs for high-risk men.
This includes eliminating copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for prostate cancer screening. The measure aims to reduce financial barriers and encourage timely diagnosis.
Advocacy for Change
Lisa A. Lacasse, president of ACS CAN, stressed that costs should never prevent lifesaving care. “No one should be at a disadvantage against cancer,” she said. The proposed act would expand access, particularly for those at greatest risk, potentially reducing disparities and saving thousands of lives.
Prostate cancer’s shifting trends highlight both progress and new challenges. Rising incidence, slowing mortality improvements, and persistent disparities call for urgent attention.
Through expanded screening access, targeted interventions, and equitable healthcare delivery, the United States can work toward reducing the burden of prostate cancer for all men.
