Prostate Cancer – What You Need to Know

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in England – not just among men, but overall. The latest figures show the scale of the issue and why awareness and early action are so important.

• More than 56,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in England.

• On average, more than 12,000 men die from the disease annually.

• Around 510,000 men are currently living with or after prostate cancer.

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

• Black men are at significantly higher risk – 1 in 4 will develop prostate cancer, with almost 1,600 Black men diagnosed each year in England.

  
  

Unlike breast or bowel cancer, the NHS does not currently have a national screening programme for prostate cancer. This means self-awareness is vital.

The main way to check for prostate problems is a simple PSA blood test. This test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in your blood, which can be raised in prostate cancer and some other conditions. The test is not perfect, but it can be an important step in spotting problems early.

If you’re over 50, Black, or have a family history of prostate cancer, you are at higher risk and can request a PSA test from your GP.

Find out more on the NHS website.