Prostate Cancer: Who Is More Likely to Get It? (2026 Update)

The source material does not provide specific numeric risk factors for prostate cancer. Instead, it explains the trend of increased detection through PSA testing and the criteria used to classify risk groups after diagnosis. As of 2026, the key reference point is the risk-group classification determined by PSA level, Gleason grade group, and stage.

Key Takeaways

• Prostate cancer is a disease whose diagnosis rate rises with age. At the time of diagnosis, treatment is determined by dividing patients into risk groups based on PSA level, Gleason grade group, and stage (based on National Cancer Registry Statistics 2019–2023 data).
• Korea's 5-year relative survival rate for prostate cancer is 96.9%, up 37.7 percentage points compared with 1993–1995 (National Cancer Registry Statistics 2019–2023, National Cancer Center Korea).
• The rise in survival is explained by the widespread use of the PSA blood test, which has increased the proportion of cases detected at the localized stage.
• Prostate cancer often progresses slowly, making it one of the rare cancers for which active surveillance without immediate treatment is a standard option.
• Treatment decisions are based not on stage alone but on a combined risk group derived from PSA, Gleason grade group, and stage, together with the patient's age, life expectancy, and coexisting conditions.

Who Is Considered at Higher Risk for Prostate Cancer?

• The source material does not present specific numeric risk factors for prostate cancer (such as age range, family history, or race). It only describes the tendency for more cases to be found due to widespread PSA testing, and the factors used in treatment decisions.
• What is clear is that a prostate cancer diagnosis begins with an abnormal finding on a PSA blood test or digital rectal exam. If PSA is elevated or the digital rectal exam shows an abnormality, a prostate MRI is performed first.
• The risk groups used to guide treatment are not about the risk of developing the disease, but a concept used to classify the nature of the cancer 'after' diagnosis. Low risk refers to low PSA, the lowest Gleason grade group, and a tumor confined to a small area within the prostate; intermediate risk falls in between; and high risk refers to elevated PSA, a higher grade group, or cancer that has extended beyond the prostate.
• We cannot make definitive statements about causes or lifestyle risk factors not covered in the source material. Your individual risk must be confirmed through consultation with your medical team.

How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed and Staged?

• Diagnosis of prostate cancer proceeds step by step from blood tests to imaging to biopsy, and the risk group is determined through this process.
• Step 1: If an abnormality is found on a PSA blood test or digital rectal exam, a prostate MRI is performed first.
• Step 2: If the MRI shows a suspicious area, a targeted MRI-fusion biopsy of that site is performed.
• Step 3: Based on the biopsy results, the Gleason score and a grade group ranging from 1 to 5 are assigned. A higher grade group indicates a more aggressive cancer.
• Step 4: MRI is used to assess whether the cancer is confined within the prostate, has broken through the capsule, or has invaded nearby organs. For higher-risk groups, a bone scan or PSMA PET is used to check for metastasis.
• Step 5: PSA, grade group, and stage are combined to classify the cancer as low risk, intermediate risk, high risk, locally advanced, or metastatic, and treatment is determined accordingly.

FAQ — Is It Okay to Just Monitor Without Treatment?

For low-risk cases, active surveillance is a standard option. Active surveillance means not treating immediately, but instead repeating PSA tests, MRI, and, if necessary, repeat biopsy at set intervals to monitor for changes. This approach is used when the burden of treatment side effects—such as urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction—may outweigh the benefits of treatment, and treatment is started only if signs of progression appear. However, this option is only feasible if the patient can reliably attend the scheduled follow-up tests.

FAQ — Can the Survival Rate Figures Be Trusted?

Korea's 5-year relative survival rate of 96.9% for prostate cancer is not the result from any single hospital, but a nationwide statistic based on National Cancer Registry Statistics 2019–2023 (Korea Central Cancer Registry, National Cancer Center Korea). For reference, the U.S. SEER 2016–2022 data shows a 5-year relative survival rate of 98.2%. Survival rates are population averages, not predictions for any individual case, so actual outcomes can vary significantly depending on risk group and stage even when the overall figure is the same.

Sources and Notes

• This content was prepared based on prostate cancer reference notes (National Cancer Registry Statistics 2019–2023 / National Cancer Center Korea, SEER 2016–2022, and NCCN patient guidelines).
• This content is provided for general medical information purposes only. Diagnosis, treatment methods, and outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances. Accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your medical team.