logo
Prostate cancer now most common cancer in UK as pressure grows for national screening

Prostate cancer now most common cancer in UK as pressure grows for national screening

Independent27-01-2025

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, according to new analysis - as a leading charity renewed its calls for a national screening program.
NHS data found 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2023, compared to 47,526 breast cancer cases the same year.
The data showed diagnoses of the disease overtook breast cancer in 2022 and 2023, said Prostate Cancer UK, which added that there has been a 25 per cent increase in cases between 2019 and 2023.
It follows a rise in awareness of the disease with a series of high-profile names sharing their battles with the condition, including Stephen Fry, Nick Owen and Chris Hoy.
Chiara De Biase, director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: 'These new figures show that awareness is now growing across the UK, and we're proud to have played our part in this alongside our supporters and the NHS.
'More men than ever are learning about their risk, speaking to their GP about the PSA blood test, and then taking the best next steps.'
The data has prompted the charity to renew its calls for a national screening programme.
The NHS does not offer routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood testing for prostate cancer, but says people may be offered the test if their doctor thinks they have symptoms of the disease. Anyone aged over 50 can also ask for a PSA test.
The NHS's UK national screening committee is reviewing the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes.
Ms de Biase said: ' At the moment, there's no screening programme for prostate cancer, and not every man has a fair shot at getting diagnosed earlier.
'We face a dreadful North-South divide in the UK, where you're more likely to get an incurable diagnosis in certain areas than others. Plus, men living in more deprived areas are less likely to get the treatments they need.'
But Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national 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.'
Ian Phillipson, 66, from Burghill in Herefordshire, said he spoke to his GP about getting tested for prostate cancer after seeing TV presenter Nick Owens speak about his own diagnosis.
'It sounds a bit melodramatic to say Nick Owen saved my life, but who knows if and when I would have found out I had prostate cancer if I hadn't caught him on TV that evening,' Mr Phillipson said.
'I had a couple of PSA blood tests, and the second one I had at the end of November 2023 indicated a high reading. After an MRI and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2024. I couldn't believe it – I hadn't felt ill or had any reason to suspect I had cancer. If I hadn't been watching the TV that day, I might not have got tested at all.'
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'This is a grim milestone and while more men are getting checked, they are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment.
'Through our Plan for Change we are working to catch cancer earlier and treat it faster – opening community diagnostic centres for longer, launching 17 new surgical hubs across the country and investing in research.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NHS urges Tesco shoppers to read important life saving labels in store
NHS urges Tesco shoppers to read important life saving labels in store

Daily Record

time37 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

NHS urges Tesco shoppers to read important life saving labels in store

The warning comes amid a new collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant on Tesco's own brand Luxury Soft toilet rolls. The NHS is encouraging Tesco shoppers to 'keep an eye out' and 'contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right'. This health warning has been issued as Tesco's own brand-Luxury Soft toilet rolls now feature the NHS logo on the packaging. The collaboration between the NHS and the supermarket giant has been established to increase awareness surrounding bowel cancer among consumers. An NHS post on X, formerly known as Twitter, reads: "Keep an eye out for our logo on @Tesco toilet roll-78.9 million rolls sold and counting!" ‌ The initiative serves as a reminder for people to be aware of potential cancer symptoms when going to the bathroom. The NHS emphasises: "It's a reminder for people to look out for possible signs of cancer when going to the loo. Know what's normal for you and contact your GP practice if something doesn't feel right." ‌ Printed underneath the NHS logo on the toilet roll is the note: "Finding cancer earlier makes it more treatable and can save lives." Further details are provided on the back of the pack. The packaging also lists warning signs of cancer that may be visible during toilets visits like alterations in stool and the presence of blood. ‌ For more detailed information on cancer symptoms, the public is advised to visit the NHS website here. Symptoms of bowel cancer: changes in your stool, such as having softer stool, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you needing to go to the toilet more or less often than usual for you blood in your stool, which may look red or black bleeding from your bottom often feeling like you need to empty your bowels, even if you've just been to the toilet tummy pain a lump in your tummy bloating losing weight without trying feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer ‌ Many of these symptoms can be quite common and may also arise from various other health conditions. Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have cancer but it is essential you consult a GP for a check-up if you notice anything abnormal. If cancer is the cause behind your symptoms, early detection may make treatment more manageable. ‌ If anyone experiences symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, they should speak to a medical professional. The NHS reassures: "Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms. "If you notice your poo is black or dark red, or if you're experiencing bloody diarrhoea, it's crucial to seek an urgent GP appointment or get assistance from NHS 111. You can reach out by calling 111 or using the online help available at 111." ‌ Cancer can come in over 200 different forms and can affect any part of the body, including organs, blood, bone marrow, and the immune system. Sometimes, cancer can spread from its original site to other parts of the body, a process known as secondary cancer or metastasis. The type of cancer you have will determine the treatment you receive. ‌ Common cancer treatments include surgery to remove the tumour, chemotherapy with drugs that destroy cancer cells, and radiotherapy that uses radiation to target and kill cancer cells. Other treatment options might involve immunotherapy, which boosts your immune system to fight cancer, and hormone therapy, which aims to slow down or stop the growth of cancerous cells. The NHS assures patients: "You'll be looked after by a team of specialists who will work with you to create a treatment plan that is best for you."

Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three
Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three

North Wales Chronicle

time39 minutes ago

  • North Wales Chronicle

Younger women could have cervical screening every five years instead of three

The changes mean that, from next month, women aged 25 to 49 in England who are negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will receive screening invites every five years. The move has been recommended by the UK National Screening Committee and is based on analysis from King's College London showing five-yearly screening is just as safe as three-yearly, with the same number of cancers found. HPV is a sexually-transmitted group of viruses which cause no symptoms. Around 13 high-risk types of HPV are known to cause 99.7% of all cervical cancers. As at present, any woman who has HPV or has a recent history of HPV will continue to be invited to more frequent screenings to check the virus has cleared and, if not, to check for cell changes in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'

NHS updates cervical screening guidelines with millions of women affected
NHS updates cervical screening guidelines with millions of women affected

The Independent

timean hour ago

  • The Independent

NHS updates cervical screening guidelines with millions of women affected

Women aged 25 to 49 who test negative for human papillomavirus (HPV) will be invited to cervical screening every five years instead of every three, under new NHS guidelines. The change, set to take effect next month in England, follows recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee. According to analysis from King's College London, extending the screening interval to five years for HPV-negative women is just as safe as the current three-year interval, with a similar rate of cancer detection. HPV is a sexually transmitted group of viruses, with around 13 high-risk types known to cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. Most people with HPV don't experience any symptoms. Women who test positive for HPV, or have a history of the virus, will continue to be invited for more frequent screenings to monitor the virus and check for any changes to cells in the cervix. In a written statement to Parliament, health minister Ashley Dalton said the new change 'increases the opportunities to test and recall women and people with a cervix who have HPV, while extending the cervical screening intervals from three to five years in England for individuals who have a negative HPV test. 'This will bring England's cervical screening intervals in line with those of Wales and Scotland.' She said the NHS screening programme in England provides all women between the ages of 25 and 64 'with the opportunity to be screened routinely to detect HPV infection or cervical abnormalities at an early, more treatable stage'. She added: 'The aim of the programme is to reduce the number of women who develop invasive cervical cancer and reduce the number who die from it.' Ms Dalton said testing negative for HPV means the chances of developing cancer within five years are very small, as it can take around 10 years or more from the time HPV is detected to developing cervical cancer. She added: 'Those who test positive for HPV are already being followed up with yearly testing. 'This is important to ensure that individuals are monitored for any early signs of cervical abnormalities and provided the necessary treatment.' Experts have been concerned about falling numbers of women under 50 attending cervical screening, with around a third in England not taking up their invitations. Dr Sue Mann, NHS national clinical director for women's health, said: 'Taking a more personalised approach to cervical screening will help ensure everyone eligible can make the most of these life-saving services, while sparing women appointments that they don't need. 'The NHS is following robust evidence on how often women need to be safely screened, and by putting invitations and reminders straight in women's pockets on their phones, we're making it easier than ever to take up screening appointments. 'Make sure you come forward for your screening when you're invited, even if it was weeks, months or years ago. If you think you are due but have not yet had an invitation, speak to your GP practice.' Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: 'We welcome this change to cervical screening in England, which is the result of years of vital research to make screening more effective and has shown it is safe to extend the time between tests. 'Screening, alongside the roll out of the HPV vaccine – which Cancer Research UK scientists helped develop – have seen cervical cancer rates drop by around a quarter since the early 1990s, and we look forward to even more progress. 'If you notice any unusual changes for you, do not wait for a screening invitation – speak to your doctor.' Athena Lamnisos, chief executive of the Eve Appeal, said: 'We want every eligible person to feel empowered to attend a vaccination and cervical screening appointment when they are invited so we can achieve the brilliant ambition of eliminating cervical cancer.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store