Five Most Common Cancers in Men and What You Need To Know About Screening
Men face a higher overall risk of developing cancer than women, a gap driven by a combination of behavioral patterns — including higher rates of smoking, occupational chemical exposure, and lower rates of preventive care — as well as biological factors. Understanding which cancers are most common, what increases your risk, and when to begin screening are the most important steps a man can take to protect his health.
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What Are the Most Common Cancers Affecting Men?
The most common cancers in men are:
- Prostate
- Lung
- Colorectal
- Melanoma
- Bladder
- Together, these five cancers account for most new diagnoses and cancer deaths in men each year.
- Prostate and lung cancer lead in both incidence and mortality. In 2025, the U.S. was projected to record over 313,000 new cases of prostate cancer and more than 226,000 cases of lung cancer. Combined, these two cancers alone were expected to account for over 160,000 deaths that year.
- Colorectal cancer ranked third with an estimated 154,000 new cases in 2025, followed by approximately 105,000 new cases of melanoma and 85,000 new cases of bladder cancer. These three types of cancer were expected to cause over 78,000 deaths that year.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, accounting for approximately 30% of all new male cancer diagnoses in 2025. It occurs when malignant cells develop in the prostate gland, a small organ in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is also the second leading cause of cancer death in men, after lung cancer — and roughly 1 in 8 men will develop it in their lifetime.
Established risk factors include:
- Age
- Family History
- African ancestry
Diet, obesity and certain genetic variants are being studied as well.
Screening-
Men at high risk (African ancestry or a first-degree relative diagnosed before age 65) should discuss screening with their physician beginning at age 40–45. Men at average risk should begin that conversation by age 50. A PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test can provide crucial health information that is used to diagnose and assess prostate cancer.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men. It develops when abnormal cells grow inside the lungs and is particularly deadly because it rarely produces symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage.
Primary risk factors include:
- Tobacco use (the leading cause)
- Exposure to asbestos and other workplace carcinogens
- Airpollution
- Exposure to radon gas
- Second-hand smoke exposure
When caught while still localized to the lung, the five-year survival rate is approximately 65%. Once the cancer has spread to distant organs, that rate drops to around 10%.
Screening-
Current USPSTF guidelines recommend annual low-dose CT screening for adults ages 50 to 80 who have at least a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. (Pack-year calculation is straightforward: determine packs smoked per day, then multiply by the number of years smoked i.e. 1 pack/day x 20 years = 20 pack years, 1.5 packs/day x 20 years = 30 pack years, 2 packs/day x 15 years = 30 pack years etc.).
Low-dose CT (LDCT) scanning is among the most powerful early-detection tools available and is the recommended modality for lung cancer screening in high-risk individuals.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer — encompassing both colon and rectal cancers — is the third most common cancer in men and the third leading cause of cancer death. Rates in people under 50 are rising, making awareness increasingly important for younger men as well.
Risk factors include:
- Excess body weight
- Type 2 diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Diet high in red/processed meats
- Alcohol/smoking
- Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
Screening-
Men at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. Options include virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography), which can detect polyps and cancers in the colon and rectum non-invasively, as well as traditional colonoscopy and stool-based tests. Men at elevated risk — due to family history or a hereditary syndrome — may need to start earlier.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and 4th most common cancers in men. Men are at higher risk than women in part because of greater average sun exposure and lower rates of sunscreen use, but biology also plays a role — men’s skin may respond differently to UV light damage.
Warning signs follow the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry — one half doesn’t match the other
- Border — irregular, ragged, or blurred edges
- Color — uneven pigmentation or multiple colors
- Diameter — larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
- Evolving — any change in size, shape, color, or new symptoms
Non-healing sores are also a warning sign requiring medical evaluation.
Screening- Annual skin examinations by a dermatologist are recommended, particularly for men with fair skin, a history of sunburns, many moles, or a family history of melanoma. Monthly self-examinations are also advisable.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer in men and occurs significantly more often in men than in women. It develops when abnormal cells form in the bladder lining. Risk factors include:
- Smoking (the single greatest risk factor)
- Occupational exposure to chemicals, including benzidine and aromatic amines
- Chronic bladder inflammation
- Prior chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide
- Family history of bladder cancer
Common symptoms include blood in the urine, frequent or painful urination, and unexplained back or pelvic pain. These symptoms should prompt evaluation — early-stage bladder cancer is highly treatable and typically diagnosed by direct visualization known as a cystoscopy examination.
When Should Men Begin Screening?
Screening age recommendations vary by cancer type:
| Cancer | Average Risk | High Risk |
| Colorectal | Age 45 | Earlier if family history |
| Prostate | Discuss at 50 | Discuss at 40–45 |
| Lung | Age 50 (if 20+ pack-years) | Per physician guidance |
| Melanoma | Annual skin exam recommended | Earlier with risk factors |
The most important thing is to start the conversation with your physician before symptoms appear.
Bottom Line: Cancer screening saves lives — but only if it happens.
Preventative Diagnostic Center can provide more information about when to start screenings. If you’re unsure whether to invest in screening, contact us for more information.
Where Can Men in Las Vegas Access Preventative Diagnostic Screening?
Preventative Diagnostic Center offers multiple scans, including lung scans, other body scans, and virtual colonoscopies. Our scans can identify pre-cancerous abnormalities and the tiniest tumors. With early diagnosis, men can improve their survival rates and reduce treatment costs.