What types of cancer are men associated with?

Male-Associated Cancers: Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, accounting for approximately 27-29% of all male cancers, with significantly higher incidence and mortality rates among African American men compared to other populations. 1

Prostate Cancer: The Leading Male Cancer

Prostate cancer has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States and Europe 1, 2. Key epidemiological facts include:

• Annual incidence in the European Union: 78.9/100,000 men 1
• Mortality rate in the European Union: 30.6/100,000 men/year 1
• Estimated new cases in the US (2022): 268,490 1
• Accounts for 26-29% of all new cancer cases in men 1
• Second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer 1, 3

Risk Factors for Prostate Cancer

Several established risk factors increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer:

• Age: More than 70% of prostate cancer patients are older than 65 years at diagnosis 1
• Race/Ethnicity:
  • African American men have 66% higher incidence than white men 1
  • African American men experience the highest prostate cancer rates worldwide 1
  • Mortality rates in African American men are twice those of white men 1
• Family History:
  • 9% of prostate cancers are due to inherited predisposition 1
  • Risk increases with number of affected relatives:
    • One first-degree relative: 2.5x increased risk
    • Two relatives: 5x increased risk
    • Three relatives: 11x increased risk 1
• Genetics: Chromosomes 1,8,10,16,17,20, and X have been associated with prostate cancer 1
• Geographic Variation: More common in North America and northwestern Europe, rare in Near East, Africa, and South America 1

Other Male-Specific Cancers

While prostate cancer dominates male cancer statistics, other male-specific cancers include:

• Testicular Cancer:

  • Estimated new cases in the US (2022): 9,910 1
  • Most common in adolescents and young men 4
  • Higher incidence in white men than Black men 4
  • Survival rates have improved dramatically 4

• Penile Cancer:

  • Estimated new cases in the US (2022): 2,070 1
  • Relatively uncommon in the United States 4

Screening and Early Detection

Prostate cancer screening remains controversial:

• PSA testing has led to earlier detection but also potential overdiagnosis 1
• The effect of screening on mortality remains uncertain 1
• Current guidelines recommend informed decision-making rather than universal screening 1
• Higher-risk groups (African American men, those with family history) may benefit from earlier screening 1, 5

Clinical Implications

• Risk Stratification: Men with multiple risk factors should be considered for earlier and more intensive screening 1, 5
• Genetic Testing: Approximately 10% of men with advanced prostate cancer have a germline genetic predisposition that may guide treatment decisions 5
• Treatment Selection: Risk factors should inform treatment decisions, particularly for intermediate and high-risk disease 1

Future Directions

Research is focusing on:

• Improved screening methods beyond PSA testing 5
• Use of polygenic risk scores to personalize screening approaches 5
• Targeted screening for high-risk populations 5
• Integration of genomics into screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways 5

Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors of male-specific cancers, particularly prostate cancer, is essential for developing effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies to reduce the significant burden these cancers place on men's health.