2015 prostate cancer incidence rates

In Alaska we are not complete enough yet to make this determination for 2015. However, on a somewhat related note, I did make an interesting observation at the request of our Comp Cancer program manager a few weeks ago to look at early and late stage prostate cancer incidence. Late stage incidence has pretty much stayed constant over the last 15 years or so, at about 20 cases per 100,000 males. However, early stage incidence was steady at about 150 until 2008 when it started dropping starting in 2009 each year and was at 94 in 2014. This suggested to her that the falling rate is indicative of the reduced prevalence of prostate screening nationwide and that this screening has only been catching early stage prostate cancer. On the mortality side, the prostate cancer rates have fallen pretty linearly since 1998 except for 2013 and 2014, where the slope has changed dramatically and became less steep, suggesting a slowing of the rate of decrease over time. While these are only 2 data points, this may be a reflection of fewer prostate cases being diagnosed due to screening.