Who gets prostate cancer

Food for thought.

According to the National Cancer Institute, there were 1,721,290 men, of all races, living with Prostate Cancer on January 1, 2001, in the United States. Of that number, 11,639 were under 50 years of age, or less than 1% (0.7%) and only 50,210 (2.9%) were under 55 y/o. As you would expect, the overwhelming majority of these had been diagnosed with the disease sometime within the previous 1 to 10 years. In fact, of ALL PCa survivors, those having been diagnosed within the previous 10 years amounted to 89%, or over 1,500,000 of the total. The remainder had survived for up to 26 years after being diagnosed.

The complete breakdown of the numbers, by age, were as follows:

<40 = 394,
40-44 = 1,755,
45-49 = 9,490,
50-54 = 38,571,
55-59 = 90,530,
60-64 = 162,986,
65-69 = 257,893,
70-74 = 357,653,
75-79 = 376,996,
80-84 = 256,652,
85+ = 168,370

Total = 1,721,290 (as of 1-1-2001)

Look how lucky I was...LOL!  I wonder what percentage of the 40-44 group was advanced?  Oh, well.  Doesn't matter.  Let's see the next decade.

Tony

It is my humble opinion that the numbers are skewed because so few in the lower age brackets are even tested.  So many of those diagnosed at 50 and above could have actually had PCa a long time.  It is this reason we must fight to get men to start being tested at least by 40. 

Richard

Nice job, Tony.

Just tells me we all should get tested earlier and earlier.  The test is so inexpensive... less than a few cold remedies.

With those kind of odds, I'm going out to purchase a lottery ticket!!

Thanks Tony

There appears to be several of us on this forum with prostate cancer under the age of 50. I had no family history or symptoms that would draw my attention to that part of my body. I also never "shyed-away" from the doctor or any type of recommended screenings. In fact, I've been watching cholesterol very closely for the past several years. No doctor ever suggested a PSA to me. It was something "to do" at age 50 (along with a colonoscopy). If they had ever hinted that a PSA was a good idea, I certainly would have done it!!

I am 47 and learned about the POSSIBILITY of having prostate cancer after having a free biometric screening at a "wellness fair" provided by my employer. The fair included a voluntary biometric screening for blood sugars, cholesterol, and a "throw-in" PSA for men. The PSA came back at 13.7, which lead me to my family doctor, then a urologist, then a biopsy, then a diagnosis, and then robotic surgery (all within about two months).

While I realize it is not productive to be angry about all of this; I'm still angry because I doubt my PSA went from "normal" to 13.7 in a brief period of time. If I had been regularly screened beginning at age 40, or even 45, I might have caught this earlier and I am coming to an understanding that a lower PSA means better long-term outcomes.

I also feel very lucky for the wellness fair. Without the free biometric test, who knows how much longer it would have been before my cancer was discovered!!

Thanks for letting me "vent." The bottom line is I favor earlier testing. I'm living proof it is valuable...

Bump ~ FYI

I should play the lottery :)...naw I keep my luck for 0's!!!!

Tony, Really wonderful work that you are doing. We have two sons 34, and 39....My husband, Pete was diagnosed at 65, although, he probably had it earlier...His father also had it...dx at 70...The problem is: what to do? what avenue to take? radiation, surgery, cryo, ....There are many options today, depending on gleason psa etal, and yet we are left to try to decide for ourselves. The side effects sometimes are so difficult, whichever route you take. We chose radiation, and seeds....which turned out not to get it all. Then with the salvage surgery five years later, we are dealing with major side effects.. Once decided, there is no looking back...we are forging ahead, and pulling hard on the oars of good fortune. That is all one can do....Diane

There was a Dr on the radio in Ft Wayne Indiana this afternoon promoting free prostate screening for men over the age age of 50. I was the first caller. Had to ask the question why 50 to 75? I even told how I know 80 year olds who still jet-ski. The Dr gave the usual statistical analysis of why 50 to 75 and slow growing. I think its great that they were on the radio promoting free testing and raising the awareness. However, according to the 2001 stats, testing ages 50 to 75 will cover 52% of those with PCa. Just my two cents on the subject.