Prostate Cancer Becomes UK’s Most Common Cancer, Study Shows

Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the UK, surpassing breast cancer, according to a leading charity.

An analysis of NHS figures by Prostate Cancer UK found 64,425 diagnoses of prostate cancer in 2022, compared with 61,640 new cases of breast cancer.

the analysis revealed a discrepancy in the stage of diagnosis, with 31% of men in Scotland diagnosed with prostate cancer at stage 4, compared with 21% of men in England.

About one in eight men across the UK will be affected by prostate cancer in their lifetimes, adn approximately 12,200 deaths occur each year from the disease.

One in four Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes and face a higher risk of late-stage diagnosis compared with White men.

Prostate Cancer UK highlighted a “postcode lottery” regarding testing and diagnoses.PSA testing rates were highest in the south-east of England and lowest in the north-west.

Men in areas of higher deprivation were 29% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer that had spread than those in more affluent areas.

Chiara De biase, director of health services, equity and advancement at Prostate Cancer UK, said risk awareness campaigns contributed to the increase in diagnoses, leading to “more men than ever being diagnosed and treated.”

“Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, but despite this, men are facing deeply unfair inequities across the country, and their experiences vary hugely based on where they live,” De Biase said. “We urgently need an early detection program that will address these regional inequities.”