Prostate Cancer Takes Over as Most Commonly Diagnosed Cancer in UK
A new study by Prostate Cancer UK has revealed that prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer across the country, surpassing breast cancer. According to NHS figures, there were 64,425 diagnoses of prostate cancer in 2022, with 61,640 new cases of breast cancer.
The analysis highlights a significant disparity in diagnosis rates among men from different regions and socio-economic backgrounds. In Scotland, for example, 31% of men were diagnosed with prostate cancer at stage 4, compared to 21% in England. This suggests that some areas are providing better access to testing and treatment.
Prostate Cancer UK's director of health services, Chiara De Biase, attributes the increase in diagnoses to successful risk awareness campaigns, which have encouraged more men than ever to get checked for the disease. However, she also emphasizes that despite this success, there remain "deeply unfair inequities" in how men experience prostate cancer across the country.
One of these inequities is the impact of deprivation on diagnosis rates. Men living in areas with higher levels of deprivation are 29% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage. De Biase calls for an early detection program that would address these regional disparities.
The UK's National Screening Committee has recommended targeted screening for men with certain genetic variants, but this plan has been met with criticism from campaigners and charities who argue that it does not go far enough in addressing the inequalities faced by black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.
Despite these challenges, experts are cautiously optimistic about the potential for improved outcomes for men with prostate cancer. The NHS has recently expanded access to abiraterone, a treatment that can significantly improve survival rates.
A new study by Prostate Cancer UK has revealed that prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer across the country, surpassing breast cancer. According to NHS figures, there were 64,425 diagnoses of prostate cancer in 2022, with 61,640 new cases of breast cancer.
The analysis highlights a significant disparity in diagnosis rates among men from different regions and socio-economic backgrounds. In Scotland, for example, 31% of men were diagnosed with prostate cancer at stage 4, compared to 21% in England. This suggests that some areas are providing better access to testing and treatment.
Prostate Cancer UK's director of health services, Chiara De Biase, attributes the increase in diagnoses to successful risk awareness campaigns, which have encouraged more men than ever to get checked for the disease. However, she also emphasizes that despite this success, there remain "deeply unfair inequities" in how men experience prostate cancer across the country.
One of these inequities is the impact of deprivation on diagnosis rates. Men living in areas with higher levels of deprivation are 29% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at a late stage. De Biase calls for an early detection program that would address these regional disparities.
The UK's National Screening Committee has recommended targeted screening for men with certain genetic variants, but this plan has been met with criticism from campaigners and charities who argue that it does not go far enough in addressing the inequalities faced by black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.
Despite these challenges, experts are cautiously optimistic about the potential for improved outcomes for men with prostate cancer. The NHS has recently expanded access to abiraterone, a treatment that can significantly improve survival rates.