Prostate cancer has reached the ‘grim milestone’ of being the most diagnosed cancer in the country.
While it was already the most common form of the disease in men, it has now overtaken breast cancer following a massive effort to find ‘missing’ cases from the pandemic.
Prostate Cancer UK analysis established that diagnosis numbers have jumped by a quarter since 2019, with greater awareness of the deadly condition also behind the trend.
Official data shows 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 people with breast cancer.
It follows a joint push with NHS England to find the 14,000 men likely diagnosed without the disruption caused by Covid.
Experts believe the lack of GP access particularly impacted prostate cancer, leading to a massive shortfall in testing and diagnosis.
These catch-up efforts, alongside growing awareness from high-profile cases such as the BBC’s Bill Turnbull and more recently Sir Chris Hoy, are leading more men to get tested.
But despite a better prognosis if caught early, there is no national screening programme for the disease because of long-held disputes over the viability of PSA blood tests.
A doctor examines images of the prostate gland. Official data shows 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 people with breast cancer
Sir Chris Hoy, a six-time Olympic gold medalist cyclist, was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer in 2023
A colourised scanning electron micrograph (SEM) image of a prostate cancer cell
A major trial is underway to ascertain if and how this should change but this could take up to a decade.
In the meantime, the charity wants those at high risk – such as black men or those with a family history of prostate cancer – to be proactively spoken to about screening.
Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘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.
‘At the moment, there’s no screening programme for prostate cancer, and not every man has a fair shot at getting diagnosed earlier.
‘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.’
The analysis of NHS data showed prostate cancer cases increased from 44,186 in 2019 to 55,033 in 2023 – a rise of a quarter.
Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK’ of the condition
The research did not look into deaths from the disease, which is typically around 12,000 annually – but it did show that the number of patients getting more advanced treatments such as radical prostate radiotherapy is rising.
The Daily Mail has campaigned for more than two decades about better diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer, said: ‘Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and our 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 website for England, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘This is a grim milestone and while more men are getting checked, they are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment.
‘Through our Plan for Change we are working to catch cancer earlier and treat it faster – opening community diagnostic centres for longer, launching 17 new surgical hubs across the country and investing in research.
‘The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes, including targeted approaches for men at higher risk.’
