Prostate Cancer
Global mortality data, country rankings, and trends for Prostate Cancer from 1990 to 2021.
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Prostate Cancer is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease. This page presents data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) Global Burden of Disease Study, showing mortality trends, country rankings, and regional patterns. Understanding the epidemiology of prostate cancer helps inform public health interventions and resource allocation.
This data is sourced from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, processed via Our World in Data. All rates are age-standardized per 100,000 population unless otherwise noted. Explore related mortality data using the links below.
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men globally, with approximately 375,000 deaths per year. Incidence is highest in high-income countries — particularly in populations of African descent, who face roughly double the incidence and mortality of other ethnic groups. Age is the strongest risk factor: prostate cancer is rare before age 50 but increases steeply thereafter. Family history and specific genetic variants (BRCA2, HOXB13) increase susceptibility. The natural history ranges from indolent disease that may never cause symptoms to aggressive cancers that metastasise and are lethal. PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening has improved early detection but also leads to substantial overdiagnosis and overtreatment of clinically insignificant cancers. Five-year survival exceeds 95% for localised disease in well-resourced settings but drops to approximately 30% for metastatic disease. Disparities in prostate cancer outcomes between high-income and low-income countries are widening as incidence rises globally with population ageing.
PSA-based screening remains controversial: it reduces prostate cancer mortality but causes significant overdiagnosis. Risk-stratified screening approaches and MRI-guided biopsy are improving the benefit-harm balance. Active surveillance for low-risk disease avoids unnecessary treatment while monitoring for progression. Treatment options include radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, androgen deprivation therapy, and newer agents (enzalutamide, abiraterone) for advanced disease. Lifestyle factors (maintaining a healthy weight, physical activity) may modestly reduce risk.