Prostate cancer now England’s most common cancer – figures

Prostate cancer has become England’s most common cancer, according to new analysis.

Diagnoses of the disease overtook breast cancer in 2022 and 2023, Prostate Cancer UK said.

Data also suggests there has been a 25% increase in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023.

The charity said this was down to heightened awareness of the disease, leading to more men getting an early diagnosis.

Analysis of NHS data by Prostate Cancer UK found 50,751 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2022 compared with 48,531 diagnoses of breast cancer.

The figures increased again in 2023, with 55,033 people receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis compared with 47,526 breast cancer cases.

Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer won’t give you symptoms in its crucial early stages when it’s easier to treat, so as a charity we can’t tell you about tell-tale signs to look out for.

“That’s why we do everything we can to make every man aware of his risk of getting the disease and empower him to think about his testing options — so that he has the best chance of getting that all-important earlier diagnosis.

“Because the earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat.”

Most cases of prostate cancer develop in men aged over 50 and it is most common in black men.

It is diagnosed using a mix of physical exams, scans and tests that measure prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood.

NHS guidelines for England say anyone can request a PSA test if they are over the age of 50, while GPs are currently told to use their clinical judgment for men aged under 50 without symptoms who they consider to be at increased risk of prostate cancer.

Men of any age with symptoms can request a test.

Ms De Biase added: “These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK, and we’re proud to have played our part in this alongside our supporters and the NHS.

“More men than ever are learning about their risk, speaking to their GP about the PSA blood test, and then taking the best next steps.”

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: “Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and effective awareness campaigns, we are diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so they have the best possible chance of receiving effective treatment.

“We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so we would encourage men to consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice available on NHS.uk, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned.”

However,  Ms De Biase warned there was a “dreadful North-South divide” in the UK when it came to diagnosis, and also called for the Government to change guidance relating to when GPs could flag risks to patients.

“At the moment, there’s no screening programme for prostate cancer, and not every man has a fair shot at getting diagnosed earlier,” she added.

“We face a dreadful North-South divide in the UK, where you’re more likely to get an incurable diagnosis in certain areas than others. Plus, men living in more deprived areas are less likely to get the treatments they need.

“Despite all this, GPs aren’t currently allowed to raise the issue of prostate cancer and testing, even with the men who have the highest risk of getting it — something we’re asking the Government to change right now.”

Prostate Cancer UK is urging people to support its call to “overhaul outdated NHS guidelines”.

A letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, dated January 9, said: “Too many black men are dying from a curable disease, and you have the power to make changes that could save hundreds of lives every year.”

It added: “We’re calling on the Government to overhaul outdated NHS guidelines so that doctors can start conversations with black men about their risk from 45-years-old, and talk about the option of a quick and easy blood test to check for possible signs of prostate cancer.”

In November, Mr Streeting told BBC Breakfast that he had asked the NHS “to look at the case for lowering the screening age on prostate cancer” in light of Sir Chris Hoy’s call for men with a family history of the disease to get checked.

Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris revealed his cancer was terminal in October.

The Prostate Cancer UK figures come after separate analysis by Macmillan suggest 3.4 million people will be living with cancer in the UK by December 2025.

This includes around 890,000 women with breast cancer, 610,000 men with prostate cancer, 390,000 people with bowel cancer and 120,000 with lung cancer.