Men account for the majority of cancer deaths in the United States, with prostate, lung, colorectal, and liver cancers driving late-stage diagnoses, higher treatment costs, and workforce disruption. For plan sponsors, integrated oncology care and specialty pharmacy strategies offer a path to earlier intervention, more consistent care, and better cost management.
Cancer outcomes in the United States have improved dramatically over the past several decades, yet men continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of advanced cancer diagnoses, mortality, and cost.
While innovation in oncology has accelerated—bringing targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and personalized treatment strategies—it has also increased complexity for plan sponsors navigating benefit design, affordability, and access. For male populations in particular, gaps in early detection, rising late-stage disease, and persistent disparities are creating both clinical and financial challenges that benefit strategies can no longer afford to ignore.
Prostate cancer: A reversal in progress
Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States, representing roughly 30% of all new male cancer cases each year. After nearly a decade of declining incidence, recent data show a clear reversal: prostate cancer diagnoses have increased by approximately 3% per year since 2014, driven largely by rising rates of regional and metastatic disease across all age groups, including men under 55.
According to the American Cancer Society’s Prostate Cancer Statistics, 2025 report, declines in PSA screening have coincided with sharp increases in late-stage diagnoses. This shift is especially concerning because survival drops significantly once prostate cancer progresses beyond early stages—while treatment duration, complexity, and cost rise substantially, with late-stage treatment up to 7x higher than early stage care.
Lung and colorectal cancers: Persistent drivers of mortality
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among men, accounting for about 20% of male cancer deaths. Although mortality rates have declined due to smoking reduction and therapeutic advances, men continue to be diagnosed at later stages more often than women, limiting treatment options and increasing cost.
Colorectal cancer remains another leading cause of cancer death in men. Evidence shows that men are less likely than women to stay current on recommended colorectal cancer screening, increasing the likelihood of diagnosis at more advanced stages, where treatment costs can be significantly higher than early-stage disease. For plan sponsors, delays in screening translate into higher oncology spend, longer treatment timelines, and greater workforce disruption.
Liver cancer and the role of comorbid conditions
Liver cancer incidence and mortality are significantly higher in men than in women. This disparity reflects higher rates of underlying risk factors among men, including chronic liver disease, hepatitis infection, alcohol use disorder, and metabolic conditions.
Because liver cancer is often diagnosed at late stages and has fewer effective treatment options, it is among the most complex—and costly—cancers to manage. These trends highlight the importance of integrating oncology care with broader population health efforts focused on chronic disease management and ongoing patient support.
Health disparities remain a critical concern
Despite progress in cancer outcomes overall, disparities persist across the male cancer continuum. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2025 Report on the Status of Cancer Disparities in the United States, Black and American Indian/Alaska Native men experience substantially higher cancer mortality rates across multiple tumor types. Prostate cancer disparities are particularly stark, with Black men facing nearly double the mortality rate of White men.
Differences in access to screening, stage at diagnosis, and consistency of care continue to drive inequities—creating uneven outcomes and cost variability for employers with diverse workforces.
Why integrated oncology care and specialty pharmacy support matter more than ever
As cancer care becomes more specialized and expensive, integrated care delivery and specialty pharmacy support play an increasingly important role. Integrated care models help employers and health plans:
- Promote earlier, evidence-based intervention before disease becomes advanced
- Evidence suggests that diagnosing cancer just one stage earlier can reduce health care costs while significantly improving five-year survival rates.
- Reduce unwarranted variation through guideline-aligned pathways
- Manage the sequencing and appropriateness of high-cost oncology therapies across the care continuum
- Support more equitable, consistent cancer care across populations
For male-dominant cancers—where late-stage diagnosis and rising complexity are common—these capabilities can have a meaningful impact on both outcomes and total cost of care.
Ongoing clinical support, medication management, and patient access services are increasingly essential as cancer care shifts beyond the hospital and into the home.
Actionable takeaways for plan sponsors
1. Strengthen early detection strategies
Encourage evidence-based screening and timely follow-up, particularly for prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. Earlier diagnosis remains one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes and control oncology cost.
2. Leverage integrated oncology care and specialty pharmacy expertise
Partner with integrated oncology care and specialty pharmacy programs that provide guideline‑aligned clinical oversight, care coordination, and medication support throughout the treatment journey to promote appropriate treatment decisions and reduce unnecessary variation.
3. Address disparities as a cost and quality issue
Review cancer utilization and outcomes across demographic populations within your workforce. Consistent benefit criteria and evidence-based pathways can help mitigate inequities that disproportionately affect men.
4. Plan for continued oncology innovation
As therapies become more personalized—and more costly—plan sponsors should treat oncology benefits as a long-term strategic priority, balancing access, affordability, and sustainability.
Looking ahead
Men’s oncology trends point to a clear conclusion: progress against cancer is real, but uneven. Late-stage diagnoses, rising treatment complexity, and persistent disparities continue to drive higher cost and poorer outcomes among male populations.
Plan sponsors that invest in evidence‑based, integrated oncology care strategies are better positioned to support earlier intervention, more consistent care, and better outcomes for their workforce—today and into the future.
This article was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Evernorth’s editorial team and subject matter experts.
Accredo’s Oncology TRC delivers specialized, pharmacist‑led oncology support as part of Evernorth’s integrated clinical care model. Aligned members receive condition‑specific expertise, proactive monitoring, and coordinated care across the cancer journey—all through Accredo Specialty Pharmacy and at no additional cost.
