Statistics Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. About 140,000 new prostate cancers are diagnosed yearly in the U.S. and about 40,000 men die of prostate cancer each year. It is estimated that one in every ten men in the U.S. will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Risk Factors Age- As a man ages, his risk of developing prostate cancer increases Age Risk (%) Risk (ratio) 40 0.01% 1 in 10,000 men 50 0.3% 1 in 333 men 55 1% 1 in 100 men 60 2.5% 1 in 40 men 65 5.1% 1 in 19 men 70 8.5% 1 in 11 men 75 12.0% 1 in 8 men 80 14.8% 1 in 7 men 85 16.6% 1 in 6 men 90+ 17.5% 1 in 5 men Family History- Having one first degree relative (brother or father) with prostate cancer doubles the risk of developing prostate cancer. If a person has more than one first degree relative with prostate cancer, his risk will increase four to nine fold. Ethnicity- African Americans are at highest risk for developing prostate cancer. Asian Americans have the lowest risk. Hormones- Prolonged exposure to testosterone is believed to be associated with prostate cancer. Testosterone is a hormone made naturally by the testicles and adrenal glands. Testosterone is responsible for development, growth, and preservation of a man’s sexual organs, hair pattern, muscle/bone density, and sexual drive. Men who lose both testicles before puberty have virtually no chance of developing prostate cancer. |
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