PROSTATE cancer is the most common type of tumour in England following a surge in diagnoses after the Covid pandemic.
Analysis of NHS figures show 55,033 men were diagnosed with it in 2023, compared to 47,526 women with breast cancer, the next most common.
Prostate Cancer UK said a catch-up campaign for cases missed during lockdowns have increased the number of patients.
More men are also visiting their doctors thanks to better awareness, such as after cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy revealed his condition last year.
The charity is still encouraging men to get checked sooner and increase the proportion of cases caught in early stages when they are more treatable.
Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages but warning signs include:
- Needing to pee more often and more urgently
- Difficulty peeing, such as a weak stream, taking a long time or stopping and starting
- Blood in your urine or semen
Chiara De Biase, director of improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer won’t give you symptoms in its crucial early stages.
“These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK.
“More men than ever are learning about their risk and speaking to their GP.
“The way prostate cancer is diagnosed is safer and more accurate than ever, and the first step is a simple blood test – not a finger up the bum.”
Cancer more common with age
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”How to check your prostate cancer risk” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6354747512112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Men most at risk of prostate cancer are over-50s, black men, and those with a family history of the disease.
It gets more common with age and obesity and a poor diet also raise the risk.
Breast, bowel and lung cancers are the other most common types of tumour in the UK.
Prostate was also declared the most common in 2019 but cases dropped when people stopped using the NHS during the pandemic.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS cancer director, said: “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.”