Why Prostate Cancer Increases with Age
The incidence of prostate cancer increases faster with age than of any other cancer. This is due to the large prevalence of latent prostate cancer that increases with age, the improved ability to detect the disease at this stage, and the longer life expectancies. It is estimated that 30% of men at the age of 50 already have microscopic evidence of prostate cancer, and this increases by the decade to 80% or more by the age of 80. Most men could be diagnosed with prostate cancer at this age if biopsies were done. But, at this age, treating prostate cancer usually does not increase life expectancy. That is to say that something else is far more likely to be a cause of death. Because treatment can cause significant morbidity, it is not generally recommended in this older age group. This has prompted most major physician and medical organizations to recommend against screening men older than about age 70.
