Prostate cancer symptoms revealed as it becomes England’s most common cancer
Prostate cancer symptoms revealed as it becomes England’s most common cancer
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Prostate cancer has become England's most common cancer as more men are getting checked. Prostate Cancer UK analysis shows diagnoses of the disease overtook breast cancer in 2022 and 2023. It suggests there has been a 25% increase in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023 which the charity puts down to heightened awareness of the disease, leading to more men getting an early diagnosis.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s 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.uk, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned.”.
Prostate Cancer UK found 50,751 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2022 compared with 48,531 diagnoses of breast cancer. The NHS figures increased again in 2023, with 55,033 people receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis compared with 47,526 breast cancer cases.
The NHS says prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms until it has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra - the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis. Symptoms can include:. The NHS website states that these symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement. Signs that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss.
