Prostate cancer facts and figures

See and share our infographic on prostate cancer risk.

Figures marked with an asterisk have been rounded. The more precise figures are at the bottom of the page.

Across the UK

  • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
  • Every hour one man dies from prostate cancer - that's more than 10,000 every year.
  • Over 40,000* men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year - that's more than 100* men diagnosed every day.
  • It's estimated that by 2030, prostate cancer will be the most common cancer.
  • One in eight men will get prostate cancer.
  • Over a quarter of a million* men are living with and after prostate cancer.
  • Two out of three adults don't know what the prostate gland does.

In Scotland

  • Nearly 3,000* men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Scotland.
  • More than 700* men die every year from prostate cancer in Scotland.
  • Every day two men die from prostate cancer in Scotland.

In England

  • Over 34,000* men are diagnosed every year in England.
  • More than 8,000* men die every year from prostate cancer in England.
  • Every hour one man dies from prostate cancer in England.

In Wales

  • Over 2,000* men are diagnosed every year in Wales.
  • Over 500* men die every year from prostate cancer in Wales.

In Northern Ireland

  • Over 900* men are diagnosed every year in Northern Ireland.
  • More than 200* men die every year from prostate cancer in Northern Ireland.
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Exact figures

Figures marked with an asterisk have been rounded. The more precise figures are as follows:

  • 40,975 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK.
  • 10,721 men die every year from prostate cancer in the UK.
  • 112 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day in the UK.
  • 255,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer in the UK.
  • 2,679 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Scotland.
  • 849 die every year from prostate cancer in Scotland.
  • 34,892 men are diagnosed every year in England.
  • 9082 men die every year from prostate cancer in England.
  • 2,462 men are diagnosed every year in Wales.
  • 547 men die every year from prostate cancer in Wales.
  • 942 men are diagnosed every year in Northern Ireland.
  • 243 men die every year from prostate cancer in Northern Ireland.
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References

Cancer Research UK http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/types/prostate/index.htm

It's estimated that by 2030, prostate cancer will be the most common
Mistry M, Parkin DM, Ahmad A, et al. Cancer incidence in the UK: Projections to the year 2030. British Journal of Cancer 2011; 105(11): 1795-803. http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats/incidence/projections/selected-cancers/selected-cancers.

1 in 8 men
Cancer Research UK Statistical Information Team. Statistics on the Risk of Developing Cancer, By Cancer Type and Age. Calculated using 2010 data for the UK using the 'Current probability' method (Esteve J, Benhamou E and Raymond L. Descriptive epidemiology [IARC Scientific Publications No.128], pp67-68: Lyon, International Agency for Research on Cancer; 1994).

Over a quarter of a million
Maddams J, Utley M and Møller H. Projections of cancer prevalence in the United Kingdom, 2010-2040. British Journal of Cancer 2012.

Two out of three adults don't know what the prostate gland does
Dr Foster Intelligence. Progress to the 2020 goals. 2011. 3,671 adults were interviewed as part of a public awareness survey for Prostate Cancer UK. Results have been weighted to represent the national population in the UK.