Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the most common cancer in England, with new NHS data revealing a 25 per cent rise in cases over the past five years.

A record 55,033 men were diagnosed in 2023, up from 44,000 in 2019, according to the charity Prostate Cancer UK. Experts have attributed the increase in awareness and diagnoses to the “Fry and Turnbull effect.” Actor Stephen Fry and the late BBC presenter Bill Turnbull publicly shared their experiences with prostate cancer in 2018, encouraging men to get tested.

Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy has also advocated for earlier testing, calling it a “no-brainer” for the NHS to offer routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to high-risk men from age 45.

The rising figures have intensified calls for a national screening programme, as prostate cancer currently lacks routine testing, unlike breast, bowel, and cervical cancers. 

NHS guidelines recommend that men over 50 — or over 45 for black men — may request a PSA test from their GP. However, GPs are not allowed to proactively offer the test, even to high-risk patients, if they’re not displaying symptoms.

Amy Rylance, head of improving care at Prostate Cancer UK, urged the government to update NHS guidelines: “The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat. But current NHS rules prevent GPs from starting those crucial conversations. Instead, it’s each man’s responsibility to understand his risk and request a test.”

The human toll

Data from the NHS cancer registry shows prostate cancer diagnoses surpassed breast cancer cases in 2022. In 2023, around 47,500 women were diagnosed with breast cancer compared to the 55,033 prostate cancer cases among men.

In the UK, prostate cancer claims over 12,000 lives annually. If caught early, nearly all men survive, but late-stage diagnosis cuts survival rates to just 50 per cent. Symptoms such as frequent urination or difficulty urinating often appear late, making early detection critical.

Diagnosed after a routine PSA test, Michael, who shares his story in our Working Together to Tackle Cancer programme, said, “I was diagnosed at the age of 54 and my prostate itself was abnormal. There were a lot of emotions — some tears. But the diagnosis at the time was hopeful… Because they caught it early, it gave me a fighting chance at life. Now I feel I’ve been given a second chance and I’m not going to waste it.”

Prostate Cancer UK are raising awareness of the health inequalities and the risk factors men should be aware of. 

Rising diagnoses post-pandemic

The pandemic delayed testing for thousands of men, contributing to a surge in diagnoses as healthcare systems recovered. Combined with an ageing population — more men now living into their seventies and eighties, when the risk of prostate cancer is highest — the disease’s prevalence is rising rapidly.

Prostate Cancer UK continues to campaign for change, emphasising that earlier testing could save thousands of lives. 

The call for a national PSA screening programme grows louder as experts, charities, and advocates push for updated policies to match the increasing awareness of prostate cancer’s risks and impact.