Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in American men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. In some Western countries, it has become the leading cause of cancer deaths. As our population ages, the impact of prostate cancer on American men will increase; no other cancer rises in incidence and mortality rate with increasing age as rapidly as does prostate cancer. It has been estimated that over 1 million American men now alive and over age 50 will eventually die of prostate cancer unless new treatments are developed to control this disease. Unfortunately, prostate cancer has a disproportionate impact on certain segments of our population. For example, African American men are more likely to develop prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it than are other Americans....

The growth of scientific knowledge presents our nation with a unique opportunity to advance the attack on prostate cancer and to accelerate the pace of progress against this disease. Taking advantage of this opportunity, however, will require a substantial commitment of people and resources dedicated to understanding and eventually eliminating prostate cancer.

(From Defeating Prostate Cancer: Crucial Directions for Research -- The Report of the Prostate Cancer Progress Review Group)