New cases rose about 3 percent a year from 2014 to 2022, according to the ACS Cancer Statistics 2026 report. For 2026 the society estimates 333,830 diagnoses in the United States and 36,320 deaths. More screening explains much of the increase, which should mean earlier treatment. Instead, the steepest rise is in advanced-stage disease.
"We're seeing two things happen at once: more men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and a growing share of those cases are happening at a more advanced stage," said Dr. William Dahut, the ACS chief scientific officer. "That tells us screening conversations are happening too late for too many men, particularly those at high risk for the disease."
Risk Is Not One Size Fits All
About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime. Most will not die of it: more than 3.5 million American men who have had prostate cancer are alive today. The risk, though, is uneven. It climbs sharply after 50. Black and Caribbean men are diagnosed more often, and younger. Compared with White men, Black men are nearly 70 percent more likely to be diagnosed and twice as likely to die from the disease.
The ACS screening ages follow that map. Men at average risk should talk with a doctor at 50. High-risk men, including African American men and those with a family history, should have the conversation at 45. Men with multiple close relatives diagnosed young should start at 40. A free personal-risk tool, ACS CancerRisk360, is on the society's site.
The Conversation Before Symptoms
"Knowing your personal risk is the start of a conversation that can change your outcome," Dahut said. "That first conversation with a doctor should happen before symptoms appear, not after."
Low-cost and free screening, plus support during treatment, is available through the ACS 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or cancer.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How common is prostate cancer in 2026?
- The American Cancer Society estimates 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths in the United States this year. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
- Why are cases rising if screening is increasing?
- New cases rose about 3 percent a year from 2014 to 2022, largely because more men are being screened. The ACS says the steepest rise is still in advanced-stage diagnoses, meaning many high-risk men are talking to a doctor too late.
- When should men discuss screening?
- Average risk: age 50. High risk, including African American men and those with a family history: age 45. Even higher risk, including multiple close relatives diagnosed young: age 40.
- Who is at highest risk?
- Risk rises after 50. Black and Caribbean men are diagnosed more often and younger. Black men are nearly 70 percent more likely to be diagnosed than White men and twice as likely to die of the disease.
