Prostate Cancer Trends 2025: Rising Late-Stage Incidence Amid Slowing Mortality Decline

The latest report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) on prostate cancer statistics for 2025 reveals concerning trends in disease incidence and outcomes across the United States. While mortality rates from prostate cancer have seen a gradual slowdown in their decline, the incidence of late-stage diagnoses continues to surge at an alarming rate. Specifically, after a period of decline between 2007 and 2014, prostate cancer incidence rates reversed, showing an annual increase of 3.0% from 2014 to 2021. The sharpest rise was observed in advanced-stage cases, with increases of 4.6% to 4.8% per year.

Simultaneously, the pace of mortality reduction has slowed considerably, from a steady decline of 3–4% per year in previous decades to just 0.6% annually over the past ten years. This divergence underscores ongoing challenges in early detection and effective treatment.

The report highlights significant disparities among different racial and ethnic groups. Black men face twice the mortality rate of white men and a 67% higher incidence rate. Native American men also experience higher mortality, despite a slightly lower incidence compared to white men. Geographic disparities are evident too, with states like Washington D.C. and Mississippi seeing the highest death rates, partly due to higher Black populations.

Prostate cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer among men, representing 30% of male cancers in 2025, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. Researchers estimate around 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths this year. The disease progression shows a worrying trend: distant-stage diagnoses are increasing in all age groups, notably by nearly 3% per year among men under 55 and 6% in those aged 55 and older. The five-year survival rate for distant-stage disease drops to 38%, compared to nearly 100% for early-stage diagnoses.

Experts emphasize the importance of timely screening, especially for high-risk groups such as Black men and those with a family history. Current guidelines recommend men begin discussions about prostate cancer screening at age 50, or earlier at 45 for high-risk populations, including Black men. The report calls for enhanced efforts to address racial disparities and promote early detection strategies to improve survival rates.

In addition to clinical insights, advocacy efforts like the proposed PSA Screening for High-risk Insured Men Act aim to eliminate financial barriers to screening, which could lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. Overall, the findings underscore the need for continued vigilance, targeted interventions, and equitable healthcare access to curb the rising burden of prostate cancer.