It's a fact: prostate cancer now the most common cancer in the UK

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with record numbers of men receiving a diagnosis. 

The most recent NHS figures show a huge rise in prostate cancer cases, jumping from just under 52,000 in 2021 to more than 64,000 in 2022. 

That’s an increase of 24 per cent, which means prostate cancer is now more commonly diagnosed than even breast cancer. 

Over the last decade, the number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer has shot up by 42 per cent – from around 45,000 cases in 2012. 

This is due to much greater awareness of the disease – boosted by our recent campaigns – which have helped more men find out if they’re at risk and come forward for regular PSA blood tests. 

But despite this surge in awareness, men are still facing huge inequities when it comes to diagnosis and treatment. And far too many are being diagnosed at an advanced stage, when their cancer has already spread and become harder to treat. 

Prostate cancer is curable if you find it early, before it spreads to other parts of the body. But it often has no symptoms in the early stages, making it hard to detect when it’s easier to treat. 

Without a large-scale screening programme inviting men for routine tests, it’s up to men to check if they’re at risk and speak to their GP about their options. 

One of the reasons these shocking inequities persist is that current NHS guidelines prevent GPs from proactively speaking to men at high risk of prostate cancer about the option of a PSA blood test.  

Not only are these guidelines dangerously outdated, they’re also followed differently across the UK – deepening inequities even further. 

We’re calling on the Government to change these rules straight away, freeing up GPs to raise the issue of prostate cancer with men at high risk much sooner. 

“We’re hugely proud to have played our part in the growing awareness of prostate cancer, which has led to more men than ever being diagnosed and treated,” says Chiara De Biase, our Director of Health Services, Equity and Improvement.  

“But it’s unacceptable that the full weight of responsibility still falls on men to understand their risk and talk to their GP about the pros and cons of a PSA blood test.” 

She added: “Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK – but despite this, men are facing deeply unfair inequities across the country, and their experiences vary hugely based on where they live. We urgently need an early detection programme that will address these regional inequities.” 

Prostate cancer cases continue to rise across all four nations of the UK.  

The disease officially became the most common cancer in England in January 2025. But the latest figures show it’s also become the most common cancer in Scotland for the first time.  

In Wales and Northern Ireland, prostate cancer continues to be the most common cancer in men and the second most common cancer overall after breast cancer, with 2,883 men in Wales and 1,590 men in Northern Ireland diagnosed in 2022.   

Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy, who was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer in 2024, has also lent his support to our campaign, joining calls for the Government to overhaul NHS guidelines. 

“It’s great that national campaigns by Prostate Cancer UK and others drove more men than ever before to get a diagnosis in 2022,” says Sir Chris. “Crucially, this should continue to rise, and I hope that my story will be a part of this national movement as we see the data for more recent years. 

“What we need now is action to change the system, to enable more men to be diagnosed earlier and stop them getting the news I got.  

“We need GPs to be able to proactively speak to men at highest risk – men with a family history like me, or Black men – and discuss the PSA blood test to check for signs of cancer at an earlier stage. It shouldn’t be only men’s responsibility to make these potentially lifesaving conversations happen.” 

Martin Walsh, 59, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024 after experiencing pelvic pain and frequent night-time trips to the toilet.  

Aware of his family history of the disease, Martin took our 30-second online Risk Checker, which encouraged him to ask his GP for a PSA blood test. 

“Prostate cancer has affected other men in my family,” says Martin, from Coventry in the West Midlands. “My cousin was diagnosed aged 58, and doctors believe my dad had it when he died – but you don’t always think it will affect you too.  

“It was using Prostate Cancer UK’s Risk Checker that helped me take that next step and request a PSA blood test from my GP, which led to my early diagnosis.” 

Martin says having prostate cancer has deepened his outlook on life – and he now wants to help other men understand their risk too. 

“I feel incredibly lucky and I’m passionate about spreading awareness of this disease,” he says. “I want to encourage other men to take their health into their own hands. 

“Please take 30 seconds to check your risk factors today using the Risk Checker from Prostate Cancer UK and think about getting a quick test.”