The global burden of PCa because of population increase and aging is projected to rise substantially by 2050, particularly in low- and middle-income regions; family history, germ line pathogenic variants, and ancestry are risk factors, and evidence remains insufficient to support any specific preventive intervention, although smoking, diet, and physical activity may modify risk of progression or mortality.
An estimated 1.55 million new prostate cancer cases occurred worldwide in 2024, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 29 per 100,000.
Incidence varied markedly by region, with Northern America highest and South-Central Asia lowest.
Prostate cancer caused an estimated 420,000 deaths in 2024, with the highest mortality rates in the Caribbean.
Cases and deaths are projected to rise sharply by 2050, with the largest relative increases in Africa.
Family history, germ line pathogenic variants, polygenic risk scores, and ancestry are established risk factors for prostate cancer.
Disparities between men of African and European ancestry reflect both tumor biology and unequal access to care.
No single nutrient or supplement has been shown to reduce prostate cancer incidence.
Smoking and obesity are associated with prostate cancer-specific mortality, while physical activity and plant-based or Mediterranean diets are associated with lower risk of progression.
The rising global burden is driven by population growth and aging, particularly in low- and middle-income regions.
This review used international cancer statistics to estimate how common prostate cancer is around the world. In 2024 there were an estimated 1.55 million new cases and 420,000 deaths. Rates differ greatly by region: North America had the highest rate of diagnosis, while South-Central Asia had the lowest. Differences in PSA screening, access to care, and risk factors help explain these patterns, and death rates were highest in the Caribbean. Looking ahead, the authors project that cases could rise to 2.88 million and deaths to 924,000 by 2050, an increase of 86% and 120%. The largest relative increases are expected in Africa. These projections assume current rates stay the same and mostly reflect growing and aging populations, so they are not predictions that account for changes in treatment or risk factors. The review found that family history, inherited gene changes, and ancestry increase risk. Differences between men of African and European ancestry appear to reflect both tumor biology and unequal access to care, with death-rate gaps smaller in systems with equal access. No single nutrient or supplement has been shown to prevent prostate cancer. However, this research suggests that not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, and following plant-based or Mediterranean-style diets may be linked to a lower risk of the cancer progressing or causing death.
Upload your bloodwork. We'll cross-reference your results against this study and 4,700 others.
Upload Your LabsG. Gandaglia, A. Weiner, A. Briganti, R. Eeles, S. Eggener, M. Gleave, et al.. (2026). Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention of Prostate Cancer.. European Urology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2026.10.007