Early detection, treatment lowers prostate cancer fatality rate

Prostate cancer deaths will hit an all time low in 2006, a 10 percent drop from 2005.

“These numbers tout the success of annual early detection and advances in treatment as a result from public and privately funded research,” National Prostate Cancer Coalition CEO Richard N. Atkins, MD, said. “Spreading the word that annual screenings work and making contributions toward the advancement of treatments will make prostate cancer a memory,” Atkins said.

Prostate cancer remains the second deadliest cancer among American men at 27,350 (down from 30,350 in 2005).

The disease also remains the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer in American men at 234,460 (up from 232,460 from 2005).

Predictions are made from annual data made available by the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society.

“Prostate cancer survival is at its brightest moment to date,” said Atkins. “Men diagnosed with prostate cancer are now living longer and healthier lives. If every part of America works together, prostate cancer can be beat.”

When prostate cancer is caught in its early stages, the 15year survival rate stands at 77 percent, up from 61 percent in 2005. The 10-year survival rate after early diagnoses is up one percent to 93 percent. Five-year survival rates when prostate cancer is caught early remain unchanged at virtual 100 percent.

The U.S. now ranks 28th in prostate cancer death rates in the world, improving from 13th in 2005.

Uganda, Norway and Sweden rank as the top three nations in prostate cancer death rates, respectively, while China has the lowest prostate cancer death. Records continue to prove that Asian nations, with diets rich in low fat foods and soy, rank very low in prostate cancer mortality.