Is prostate cancer common?

Yes. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the country.

Even though prostate cancer is common, it usually grows very slowly. Because it often grows so slowly, finding and treating it before symptoms appear may not always improve a man's health or help him live longer.

If you have questions about your own risk, or about whether screening is right for you, your healthcare team can help. A test called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is one tool related to prostate cancer screening, and your team can explain the choices and what they may mean for you.