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Prostate Cancer

General Statistics

Leading Cause of Death

  • Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in males in Illinois
  • In Illinois, incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer are highest in Black populations and lowest in Asian/Pacific Islander populations

New Diagnoses (Incidence)

  • In the United States, the incidence of prostate cancer has decreased from 152.7 per 100,000 in 2008 to 106.5 per 100,000 in 2017
  • In Illinois, the incidence of prostate cancer has decreased from 165.4 per 100,000 in 2008 to 111.2 per 100,000 in 2017
  • In 2017, there were a total of 207,430 new prostate cancer cases in the United States and a total of 8,313 new prostate cancer cases in Illinois
  • Between 2013 and 2017, prostate cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males in Illinois

Deaths (Mortality)

  • In the United States, mortality from prostate cancer has decreased from 23.0 per 100,000 in 2008 to 18.9 per 100,000 in 2017
  • In Illinois, mortality from prostate cancer has decreased from 23.7 per 100,000 in 2008 to 20.6 per 100,000 in 2017
  • In 2017, there were a total of 30,486 deaths from prostate cancer in the United States and a total of 1,273 deaths from prostate cancer in Illinois

Risk Factors

Risk factors for prostate cancer include:

  • Age
  • Race/ethnicity
  • Family history
  • Inherited genetic syndromes

Prevention and Early Detection

It may not be possible to prevent prostate cancer since known risk factors are non-modifiable. Research is being done to examine possible modifiable factors that can lower the risk. These lifestyle factors include:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Engaging in regular physical activity
  • Following a healthy diet

For males between the ages of 55 and 69 years, the decision to undergo prostate cancer screening with periodic prostate specific antigen (PSA)-based testing should be an informed one after discussing the potential benefits and risks with a health care provider.

Prostate Cancer Measures for Illinois

Cancer Measure Baseline (per 100,000) (2017) Target (per 100,000) (2025)

Incidence rate

111.2 79.3

Mortality rate

20.6 18.3

Prostate Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Race and Ethnicity in Illinois (2017)

Race/Ethnicity Incidence (per 100,000) Mortality (per 100,000)

All Races (includes Hispanic)

111.2 20.6

White (includes Hispanic)

103.2 18.5

Black (includes Hispanic)

173.1 43.5

Hispanic (any race)

80.6 16.1

Non-Hispanic White

105.8 18.6

Non-Hispanic Black

176.1 44.4

Asian/Other Races

47.2 Data not available

Other Races

Data not available 7.9
Race/Ethnicity Incidence (per 100,000) Mortality (per 100,000)

Hispanic

81.5 16.1

Asian/Pacific Islander

48.5 8.3

American Indian/Alaskan Native

Data not available Data not available

Prostate Cancer - 20 Counties with Highest Incidence in Illinois (2013-2017)

Overall State Incidence

109.1

County Incidence (per 100,000)

Washington

159.1

Grundy

149.5

Marion

139.7

Jefferson

137.9

Scott

137.9

Effingham

137.5

Morgan

136.5

Schuyler

134.3

Kendall

129.3

DeKalb

125.2

Will

125.2

Alexander

124.1

Sangamon

123.5

Clay

123.1

Wayne

121.8

Douglas

121.7

White

121.2

LaSalle

121.1

Woodford

120.7

Macon

120.0