Prostate Cancer

Development Stage Early Development
U.S. Incidence of Prostate Cancer1 220,000/Year
Global Incidence of Prostate Cancer2 780,000/Year

About Prostate Cancer and Genomic Health’s Products in Development

Since the prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, this type of cancer occurs in men only. It is the most common cancer among U.S. males and is responsible for more deaths in men than any other cancer except for lung cancer.3 For most men diagnosed with prostate cancer localized to the prostate, current treatment includes surgery or radiation.

A number of factors, including genetics and diet, have been implicated in the development of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is typically slow-growing, generally affects men over 60 (but can occur in younger men) and is primarily diagnosed at an early stage because of an abnormally elevated PSA test. Because of these factors, men with prostate cancer often die not of the cancer, but of other causes. As a result, prostate cancer patients are confronted with the difficult decision to pursue treatments which can cause significant lasting side effects for a disease which, in most cases, will not impact them clinically in their lifetime. A test which would provide insight into the individual biology and behavior of newly diagnosed prostate cancers is greatly needed to better inform treatment planning for prostate cancer patients and their physicians. Genomic Health is working to develop such tests.

For more information about prostate cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute’s Prostate Cancer page or the nonprofit group Prostate Cancer Foundation.

  1. MattsonJack DaVinci ©2004, 2007.
  2. Globocan 2002/ACS Cancer Facts & Figures, 2007.
  3. American Cancer Society 2007 Statistics. Available at: http://www.cancer.org/downloads/STT/CAFF2007PWSecured.pdf. Accessed July 22, 2008.
Prostate Cancer