What to know
Based on the most recent data available, in the United States in 2021, 236,659 new prostate cancers were reported and in 2022, 33,363 males died from prostate cancer.
Incidence and death rates
Males had much higher rates of getting prostate cancer than dying from prostate cancer.
Stage distribution
From 2017 to 2021, 70% of prostate cancer cases were diagnosed at a localized stage, meaning the cancer had not spread outside the prostate. 14% of prostate cancers were found at a regional stage (the cancer had spread to nearby lymph nodes, tissues, or organs), and 8% were found at a distant stage (the cancer had spread to distant parts of the body).
5-year relative survival
Overall, 97% of prostate cancer patients had not died from their cancer 5 years later. However, survival varied by stage at diagnosis.
Survival is high because many prostate cancers grow slowly or not at all. The goal of screening for prostate cancer is to find cancers that may grow if not treated. Men and their doctors should talk about the possible harms and benefits of screening.
5-year limited duration prevalence
Among males diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2016 to 2020, 1,002,926 were still alive on January 1, 2021.
Impact of COVID-19
Resource
Data sources
Data are from U.S. Cancer Statistics, the official federal cancer statistics.
U.S. Cancer Statistics incidence data are from population-based registries that participate in CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program, or both programs and met high-quality data criteria for data submitted in 2023, covering 98% of the U.S. population.
U.S. Cancer Statistics death data are from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics National Vital Statistics System and cover 100% of the U.S. population.
U.S. Cancer Statistics survival and prevalence data are from 43 NPCR registries that met high-quality data criteria for the 2023 data submission and conducted linkage with the National Death Index and/or active patient follow-up, covering 92% of the U.S. population. Five-year relative survival estimates are based on cases diagnosed during 2014 to 2020. Five-year limited-duration prevalence estimates are based on cases diagnosed during 2016 to 2020.