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About prostate cancer

Aside from skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in American men, with more than 288,000 estimated new cases diagnosed in 2023.1 In fact, about one man in eight will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime.1 

Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces the seminal fluid that supplies sperm.1

Most prostate cancers are found early as a result of screening. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. More advanced prostate cancer sometimes causes symptoms, such as:2

  • Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night
  • Blood in the urine or semen
  • Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
  • Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones
  • Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord

97%

five-year relative survival rate3

1 in 8

men is diagnosed in his lifetime1

3.1 million

U.S. men diagnosed are still living1

The symptoms above may be caused by something other than prostate cancer, such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).2

Learn more about BPH, or an enlarged prostate

Men are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider if they have any of these symptoms.

If you have been diagnosed, it’s important to discuss treatment options with a doctor so you can make a decision that best fits your needs. Some factors men may wish to consider are:

  • Stage and grade of cancer
  • Age
  • Other serious health conditions
  • Possible side effects from each treatment

Learn more about managing a prostate cancer diagnosis

Doctor and patient consultation.

Download a discussion guide to bring to your physician

This sheet was created to help you talk to your doctor about your treatment options.

Download discussion guide
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Managing a diagnosis

Learn what’s next
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Patient advocacy

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Talk to a prostate cancer doctor

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References

  1. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed May 30, 2023.
  2. Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Accessed May 30, 2023.
  3. Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html. Accessed May 30, 2023.

Caution: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.

All images are the property of Boston Scientific.