Today’s most prevalent cancers suggest progress in some areas and reveal growing concerns in others. While improved screening and public health measures have helped reduce the incidence and mortality of certain cancers, new risk factors and demographic-related changes have allowed others to rise in prominence.
This article reviews the top cancers affecting men in 2025, compares trends from a decade ago, and offers evidence-based recommendations that support the goals of Men’s Health Week, a health observance that requires year-round vigilance, not just annual awareness.
Most Common Cancers in Men in 2025
In 2025, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers continue to dominate new diagnoses among American men. These three account for nearly half of all male cancer cases.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer accounts for approximately 15.4% of new cancer diagnoses in men. Taking 35,770 lives each year, it is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in American men, just behind lung cancer. Most patients are aged 65 and older, though rates of early-onset prostate cancer have increased slightly in recent years. Doctors diagnose at least 1 in 350 males younger than 50, and about 1 in 52 males between 50 and 59.
Improvements in diagnostic precision, especially the use of multiparametric MRI and molecular markers, enhanced detection of clinically significant tumors. However, advanced-stage prostate cancer cases have also increased, raising concern about screening frequency and public awareness among younger adults.
Lung and Bronchus Cancer
Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed malignancy among men. It accounts for 11.1% of new cases in 2025. Incidence has declined since the early 2000s, largely due to successful anti-smoking campaigns. Yet disparities persist. Men in certain socioeconomic and racial groups still experience elevated incidence, often due to higher rates of tobacco use and limited access to preventive care.
Colorectal Cancer
Colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer ranks third, comprising 7.6% of cases in men. Screening has improved detection and reduced mortality, particularly in older adults. However, early-onset colorectal cancer has surged among men under 50. This trend has puzzled researchers, though prospective explanations include obesity, sedentary behavior, poor diet, and gut microbiome changes.
Other Notable Cancers
In addition to the above three, the following malignancies affect men with alarming frequency or unique clinical relevance:
- Liver cancer incidence affects about 24,500 men compared to 10,000 women each year, though recent trends suggest stabilization after decades of increase.
- Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers, predominantly due to HPV infections, continue to rise. 1 in 59 occur in men versus 1 in 139 in women
- Melanoma, while more common in fair-skinned men, shows regional variation based on sun exposure and skin protection habits.
- Testicular cancer, though rare, remains the most common solid tumor affecting males aged 15 to 35.
- Male breast cancer, often overlooked, affects approximately 2,800 men annually in the United States and causes over 500 deaths each year.
Then and Now: Comparing 2025 with 2015
A decade ago, the rankings looked similar, but notable changes emerged in incidence patterns, mortality rates, and population-level risk profiles.
Prostate Cancer Trends
In 2015, prostate cancer was still leading all male cancers in incidence. At that time, controversy surrounding routine PSA screening caused a temporary decline in early detection. That led to a rise in diagnoses at later stages. In 2025, physicians now recommend a more individualized approach to PSA screening, beginning at age 50 or earlier for those with a family history or African ancestry.
Recent data suggest that while prostate cancer incidence remains high, mortality continues to decline, due in part to advances in targeted therapies and active surveillance protocols.
Lung Cancer Decline
From 2015 to 2025, lung cancer incidence declined steadily due to lower smoking rates. Between 2018 and 2022, male lung cancer mortality fell by 4.5% per year. Broader adoption of low-dose CT screening for high-risk individuals contributed to earlier detection. However, lung cancer is still the primary cause of cancer death in men, stressing the importance of tobacco cessation efforts.
Related articles from New Hope Unlimited and leaders in precision oncology:
- What’s in a Cigarette and How Smoking Increases Lung Cancer Risk
- Overview of How the Body Recovers After Quitting Smoking
- 10 Strategies to Quit Smoking
Click here for additional resources published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Rising Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer rates have decreased overall among older men, thanks to screening and removal of precancerous polyps. In contrast, incidence in men under 50 rose between 2015 and 2025, particularly among Generations Y and Z. From 1990 through 2019, early-onset colorectal cancer increased by over 50% globally. While researchers have not identified a singular cause, they continue to investigate lifestyle and environmental factors.
Ongoing Liver Cancer Burden
Liver cancer incidence among men increased dramatically from 1975 to 2017. Much of this rise stemmed from chronic hepatitis B and C infections, as well as alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While hepatitis C treatment and broader vaccination efforts against hepatitis B have helped reduce liver cancer risk, rising rates of obesity and fatty liver disease continue to threaten long-term progress.
HPV-Associated Cancers in Men
Head and neck cancers linked to human papillomavirus have risen over the past decade. More specifically, oropharyngeal cancers are up by 47% in men. The introduction of HPV vaccination for boys in the early 2010s may slow this trend in the coming years, but its full impact will not become apparent until later in adulthood.
Global and Demographic Considerations
Although this article centers on trends in the United States, global data reveal similar patterns. Early-onset cancers have increased worldwide, especially in countries experiencing lifestyle shifts, urbanization, and rising obesity.
According to a study published in BMJ Oncology, cancers in individuals under 50 rose by 79% globally between 1990 and 2019. Men contributed significantly to this increase, with prostate, colorectal, and liver cancers among the most rapidly rising types.
At the same time, the United States saw a 27.5% decrease in cancer mortality from 2000 through 2021, demonstrating improvements in treatment and early detection. Age-adjusted incidence rates declined by approximately 5.7%, although this masks the upward trend in cancers affecting younger men.
Men in underserved populations continue to experience worse outcomes. Black men face higher rates of prostate and colorectal cancer mortality, often due to delayed diagnosis and barriers to care. Hispanic and Native American men encounter higher liver cancer rates linked to diabetes and viral hepatitis.
Men’s Health Week: A Reminder for Year-Round Action
Men’s Health Week, observed every June during the week leading up to Father’s Day, serves as a prompt to assess health risks and encourage early action. However, one week of attention cannot substitute for a sustained commitment to health.
Men must understand that cancer prevention and early detection require routine attention:
- Stay informed about your family history. Genetic predispositions can increase the risk of prostate, colorectal, and testicular cancers.
- Schedule age-appropriate screenings. Most men should discuss PSA testing by age 50 and begin colorectal screening by age 45. High-risk individuals may need earlier evaluation.
- Know the warning signs. Persistent cough, blood in stool, oral ulcers, swallowing difficulties, abdominal pain, or changes in testicular size warrant medical evaluation.
- Get vaccinated. HPV vaccination in adolescents and hepatitis B vaccination in at-risk adults helps protect against cancer.
- Adopt healthier habits. Maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol intake, quit smoking, and eat a fiber-rich diet.
The spirit of Men’s Health Week should guide decisions throughout the year. Proactive health choices, routine medical evaluations, and an understanding of personal risk help reduce cancer’s toll among men. Don’t rely on once-a-year reminders to prioritize cancer prevention and early detection.
