Prostate cancer now most diagnosed cancer in UK, charity analysis finds

Prostate cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer across the UK, surpassing breast cancer, an analysis of NHS figures by Prostate Cancer UK found. The charity reported 64,425 prostate cancer diagnoses in 2022 and 61,640 new cases of breast cancer. The analysis highlighted inequalities in diagnosis: 31% of men in Scotland were diagnosed at stage 4 compared with 21% in England.

About one in eight men across the UK will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetimes, and the disease causes approximately 12,200 deaths each year. One in four black men will be diagnosed in their lifetimes and are at higher risk of a late-stage diagnosis than white men. Prostate Cancer UK said rates of PSA testing were highest in the south-east of England and lowest in the north-west, and that men in more deprived areas were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer that had spread.

The charity linked part of the overall rise to mass risk-awareness campaigns, including a national campaign with the NHS in February 2022, and called for an early detection programme to address regional inequities. It noted that Scotland recorded 5,608 prostate cancer diagnoses, a 30% increase on previous figures.

Cancer Research UK warned the figures could be affected by overdiagnosis where PSA tests in asymptomatic men spot cancers that would not cause harm.

Key Topics

Health, Prostate Cancer Uk, Nhs, Scotland, Psa Testing, Cancer Research Uk