Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men accounting for a quarter of all new cancers in men in the UK. This form of cancer is hitting the headlines regularly. Here are some key facts to give you an overview.
A much more detailed information can be found through three excellent sources which are Cancer Research UK, NHS Choices and Prostate Cancer UK.
- Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men accounting for a quarter of all new cancers in men in the UK.
- In the last 35 years, prostrate cancer rates have more than trebled although some of these figures can be attributed to increased detection rates.
- Over 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year and over 250,000 men are currently living with the disease.
- The strongest risk factor for prostate cancer is age, with very low risk in men under the age of 50, but risk increasing with age thereafter. More than a third of the prostrate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 75 years.
- Men with one or more first-degree relatives (father, brother, or son) diagnosed with prostate cancer have an increased risk of prostate cancer, especially if the relative was diagnosed at an early age.
- Black men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than white men. Asian men have a lower risk of prostate cancer than white men.
- Survival from prostrate cancer within one year is over 93%; with 81% in five years and ten year survival rate is 68.5%.
- Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in UK men, after lung cancer. The UK incidence rate is 17th highest in Europe.
- More than 9 in 10 prostate cancer deaths occur in men aged 65 and over.
- It’s estimated that by 2030, prostate cancer will be the most common cancer.
Beating the Odds
It goes without saying that a healthy diet with exercise helps to reduce the risks, although we do not know what really causes prostrate cancer. Please have a look at Prostate Cancer UK’s excellent section on healthy tips.