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What Is Prostate Cancer?

Author/s: 
Rebecca Voelker, MSJ
Date Added: 
July 25, 2025
Journal/Publication: 
JAMA Patient Page
Publication Date: 
July 24, 2025
URL: 
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Type: 
Patient Education Materials
DOI (1): 
10.1001/jama.2025.10177
Keywords 
Patient Information
jama Patient Information
Reproductive Health
oncology
prostate cancer
MeSH 
Humans
male
Prostate-Specific Antigen
Prostate
Neoplasm Grading
Prostatitis
Erectile Dysfunction
Testis
Digital Rectal Examination
Urologists
Urination
prostatic neoplasms
biopsy
early detection of cancer
Early Detection of Cancer* / methods

RPR Commentary

Information for patients about prostate cancer. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

Abstract

Prostate cancer is a common malignancy in older men. Prostate cancer typically affects older men (average age at diagnosis is 67 years) and is more common among Black men than White men.1 More than half of prostate cancer risk is due to genetic factors. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in men worldwide, with about 1.5 million cases diagnosed in 2021. In the US, 3.4 million men were living with prostate cancer in 2021.