Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men and typically develops in those aged >65 yrs. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2016 over 180,000 new prostate cancer cases and 26,000 deaths will occur.

Worldwide prostate cancer is more commonly found in developed countries. In the United States for example one in every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer . Nearly 60% of these cases occur in men 65 or older and one in 39 men will die of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is rarely diagnosed in men younger than 40.

Recommended Read: How to Keep your Prostate Healthy

Despite these statistics, the survival rate for prostate cancer is fairly high. For all stages of prostate cancer, the 5-year relative survival rate is nearly 100%, while the 15-year relative survival rate is 95%. Although an individual’s chance of survival depends on their individual circumstances it is highly likely a man with prostate cancer will survive at least 5 years.