New data shows inequalities persist in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment

More than half of men with incurable prostate cancer – and nearly a third of those whose cancer is aggressive but curable – are missing out on recommended treatments that could extend their lives. That's our analysis of the latest report from the National Prostate Cancer Audit. Men aged over 75 are also missing out.

Sadly, we see this pattern of inequality repeat itself year after year – which means that men’s lives are still being left to chance because of persistent unfairness in prostate cancer care.

This is why we’re calling on the Government to act now to prioritise prostate cancer in the National Cancer Plan for England, to make sure the best treatments available are given to the men who need them most.

The latest data reveals shocking inequalities in prostate cancer care

We've analysed the latest report, which shows that nearly a third (31 per cent) of men with aggressive but curable prostate cancer are missing out on lifesaving treatments. And more than half (53 per cent) of those with incurable prostate cancer aren't receiving treatments that could give them longer to live.

There are good reasons why some men don’t receive treatment – for example, if they have other health issues, or if the treatment is unlikely to extend their life. But these factors alone can't explain the stark differences in men’s experiences of prostate cancer care.

Unfairness in healthcare is needlessly costing men years of life

We've long warned about racial and geographical inequalities in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Both Black men and people living in deprived areas are more likely to be diagnosed late, compared to white men and those in more affluent areas. They're also less likely to receive the best treatments available when their prostate cancer is found to be incurable.

We already know that Black men have double the risk of getting prostate cancer, compared to men in general. But to make matters worse, Black men with incurable prostate cancer are 24 per cent less likely than white men to receive the most effective treatments.

Furthermore, in some areas, more than half (54 per cent) of men are missing out on treatments that could save their lives. And those with incurable prostate cancer living in the most deprived areas are 24 per cent less likely to receive the most effective treatments than men in the most affluent areas. This postcode lottery is denying thousands of men a fair chance to live longer.

But the inequalities don’t stop there: 61 per cent of men with incurable prostate cancer in some NHS trusts don’t receive recommended life-extending treatments, compared to just 13 per cent in others. This particularly affects older men. 71 per cent men aged 75 and above don't receive the best treatments for incurable prostate cancer either, compared to 33 per cent of men aged 75 and under.

Colin from Derbyshire was “one of the lucky ones”

Colin, 68, was diagnosed with aggressive but curable prostate cancer in 2017. He was diagnosed just in time to receive treatment that prevented his cancer from spreading.

"My wife and I didn't fall apart when we got the news that I had aggressive prostate cancer,” he said. “The only time we cried a little was with relief when my consultant informed us he had captured all the tumour, and the tests showed there was no sign of any spread of the cancer.”

"I consider myself one of the lucky ones, because thanks to his incredible work I've been given a second chance. I sold my business, took early retirement and even took up photography – none of which would have been possible without the radical treatment that saved my life.

"It's awful to hear that there are so many men in my position who aren't being given that chance. There's simply no excuse, and I'm joining Prostate Cancer UK to call on the Government to act now and make sure no-one in my position misses out on treatments that could save them."

The Government must make prostate cancer care a priority for the NHS

These latest statistics make grim reading. But we’ll continue to move forward – shoulder to shoulder with all men, no matter who they are or where they live – to ensure they receive the best treatments available.

Chiara De Biase, our Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement said: “Thousands of men each year are missing out on care that could give them many more years with their loved ones.

“And for Black men and those in areas of deprivation the picture is even worse, as they’re more often diagnosed at a later stage, when their cancer can’t be cured, and less likely to get the treatments proven to help them live longer.

“This is a matter of life and death. That’s why the Government needs to act now and make sure the National Cancer Plan has measures to make sure these treatments are fairly reaching the men who need them.”

The Government can act right now to address inequalities in prostate cancer care – starting by overhauling the outdated NHS guidelines that prevent GPs from starting potentially lifesaving prostate cancer conversations with men at highest risk of the disease. And in the meantime, we'll drive forward our £42 million research trial, TRANSFORM, which will pave the way to a prostate cancer screening programme that could save thousands of lives every year.

We're working hard to ensure men get the best treatments, no matter who they are or where they live. If you can, please donate to help save men’s lives.

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