ABSTRACT
Worldwide, prostate cancer is commonest among black American and Scandinavian populations. The incidence is rising in the USA and UK, and prostate cancer is now the second leading cause of male cancer deaths in these countries. Incidence statistics may be misleading, however, due to the high prevalence of occult disease. Approximately 30% of men in their 50s are said to harbour microscopic foci of prostate cancer, but most never progress. Age is the most important risk factor, clinical disease being rare in men below 50.
