Prostate most cancers now commonest most cancers in UK as stress grows for nationwide screening

Join our free Well being Verify e mail to obtain unique evaluation on the week in well being

Get our free Well being Verify e mail

Get our free Well being Verify e mail

Prostate most cancers is now the commonest most cancers within the UK, in keeping with new evaluation – as a number one charity renewed its requires a nationwide screening program.

NHS knowledge discovered 55,033 males have been identified with prostate most cancers in England in 2023, in comparison with 47,526 breast most cancers circumstances the identical yr.

The information confirmed diagnoses of the illness overtook breast most cancers in 2022 and 2023, mentioned Prostate Most cancers UK, which added that there was a 25 per cent improve in circumstances between 2019 and 2023.

It follows an increase in consciousness of the illness with a sequence of high-profile names sharing their battles with the situation, together with Stephen Fry, Nick Owen and Chris Hoy.

Chiara De Biase, director of Well being Companies, Fairness and Enchancment at Prostate Most cancers UK, mentioned: “These new figures present that consciousness is now rising throughout the UK, and we’re proud to have performed our half on this alongside our supporters and the NHS.

open picture in gallery

“Extra males than ever are studying about their threat, talking to their GP in regards to the PSA blood take a look at, after which taking the very best subsequent steps.”

The information has prompted the charity to resume its requires a nationwide screening programme.

The NHS doesn’t supply routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing for prostate most cancers, however says individuals could also be supplied the take a look at if their physician thinks they’ve signs of the illness. Anybody aged over 50 may also ask for a PSA take a look at.

The NHS’s UK nationwide screening committee is reviewing the proof for prostate most cancers screening programmes.

Ms de Biase mentioned:“In the intervening time, there’s no screening programme for prostate most cancers, and never each man has a good shot at getting identified earlier.

open picture in gallery

“We face a dreadful North-South divide within the UK, the place you’re extra prone to get an incurable prognosis in sure areas than others. Plus, males residing in additional disadvantaged areas are much less prone to get the remedies they want.”

However Professor Peter Johnson, NHS nationwide scientific director for most cancers, mentioned: “Because of the onerous work of NHS workers and our efficient consciousness campaigns, we’re diagnosing extra males with prostate most cancers at an earlier stage than ever earlier than, in order that they have the very best probability of receiving efficient remedy.

“We all know that coming ahead for prostate checks may be daunting, nevertheless it might save your life, so we’d encourage males to seek the advice of the prostate most cancers signs recommendation out there on NHS.uk, and to see their GP as quickly as potential if they’re involved.”

Ian Phillipson, 66, from Burghill in Herefordshire, mentioned he spoke to his GP about getting examined for prostate most cancers after seeing TV presenter Nick Owens talk about his personal prognosis.

“It sounds a bit melodramatic to say Nick Owen saved my life, however who is aware of if and once I would have discovered I had prostate most cancers if I hadn’t caught him on TV that night,” Mr Phillipson mentioned.

“I had a few PSA blood exams, and the second I had on the finish of November 2023 indicated a excessive studying. After an MRI and a biopsy, I used to be identified with prostate most cancers in January 2024. I couldn’t consider it – I hadn’t felt unwell or had any motive to suspect I had most cancers. If I hadn’t been watching the TV that day, I may not have gotten examined in any respect.”

A Division of Well being and Social Care spokesperson mentioned: “This can be a grim milestone and whereas extra males are getting checked, they’re ready too lengthy for prognosis and remedy.

“By way of our Plan for Change we’re working to catch most cancers earlier and deal with it sooner – opening group diagnostic centres for longer, launching 17 new surgical hubs throughout the nation and investing in analysis.”