Prostate cancer, the most common cancer diagnosis among men in the United States, has shown sustained growth over the past decade, with an annual increase of approximately 3% between 2014 and 2021, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) statistics report.
The trend is more alarming in cases detected in advanced stages, where the increase is from 4.6 % to 4.8 % annually. This information breaks a previous decade in which rates decreased by more than 6 % annually.
Patients like Pablo Guillén, an 87-year-old Hispanic man living in Texas, know firsthand the challenges of the disease. Guillén was diagnosed with prostate cancer by chance more than 20 years ago, and after multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and quarterly injections, he insists on the importance of early detection: “This disease doesn't wait, you can't get complacent.”
Her experience led her two sons, Jaime and Luis, to receive regular checkups. Jaime received an early diagnosis that allowed for less aggressive treatment, while Luis undergoes regular checkups after experiencing complications.
What do prostate cancer experts say?
Experts like researcher Tyler Kratzer, lead author of the study, emphasize that the increase in cases highlights the need to optimize early detection. According to ACS guidelines, all men should discuss screening with their doctor starting at age 50, while African Americans and those with a family history should do so starting at age 45.
Prostate cancer currently accounts for 30% of male cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, after lung cancer. In 2025 alone, the ACS estimates 313,780 new cases and 35,770 deaths.
The Hispanic population faces an additional risk: higher rates of diagnoses at advanced stages and lower survival rates, due to inequalities in access to health care and preventive screening.
“We may not be able to prevent the disease, but we can prevent it from progressing,” concludes Guillén, grateful for the more than 20 years of life since his diagnosis, which have allowed him to share moments with his children and grandchildren.
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