Final answer:
The number of prostate cancer cases per 1,000 men in Massachusetts would be calculated by dividing the total number of cases by the population size and multiplying by 1,000.
Step-by-step explanation:
The number of prostate cancer cases per 1,000 men in Massachusetts is a statistical measure that provides insight into the prevalence of this specific type of cancer within the male population of the state. To calculate this measure, one must take the total number of new and existing cases of prostate cancer divide it by the population size of interest, and then multiply by 1,000 to get the rate per 1,000 men. If there were no reported cases, the incidence would be considered low. If the incidence is below the statewide average, it suggests a lower occurrence in the studied area compared to the average for the state, whereas a rate above the statewide average indicates a higher occurrence. A rate 'substantially higher than the statewide average' would imply a significantly greater prevalence of the disease in the area compared to the state average.
For example, similar calculations might be made for a tumor in the prostate gland by considering new diagnoses alongside those already living with the disease. This method of calculation is particularly useful for understanding the risk and burden of diseases such as prostate cancer on a population level.