Prostate Cancer Cases Surge to Record High in England, New Study Reveals
A national audit shows over 60,000 men diagnosed in a year for the first time, alongside an increase in late-stage diagnoses, though survival rates show improvement.
The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England has reached a record high, with nearly 4,000 additional cases recorded in a single year, according to a major national study.
Figures from the National Prostate Cancer Audit indicate that 60,827 men were diagnosed with the disease in England in 2025, a 7% increase from the 57,029 cases recorded in 2024. The audit also highlighted a rise in diagnoses of late-stage prostate cancer, where the disease has spread to other parts of the body.
Last year, 6,312 men were diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, marking an almost 11% increase in such cases within a year. However, the study also offered a measure of optimism regarding survival rates.
An analysis of over 45,000 men with incurable advanced prostate cancer revealed that survival rates have steadily improved in recent years. The proportion of men dying within three years of their diagnosis fell to less than half for the first time, a nearly 10% decrease between 2015 and 2022. Further research by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that the risk of dying from prostate cancer decreased by almost a quarter during the same period.
Experts attribute these improvements to advancements in treatment, including the expanded use of chemotherapy, newer hormone therapies, and prostate radiotherapy.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, surpassing breast cancer. Annually, more than 68,000 men are newly diagnosed, which equates to one diagnosis every eight minutes.
In light of these figures, Prostate Cancer UK has cautioned that the increasing number of men living with prostate cancer necessitates that health services be adequately equipped to provide the necessary treatment and follow-up care. This is crucial for enabling men to live well for longer, particularly those managing difficult side effects.
"Right now, far too many men get a diagnosis at a later stage when treatment options are more limited and the fact that nearly half of men still die within three years remains a tragedy," said Natalia Norori, head of data and evidence at Prostate Cancer UK. "The number of men living with prostate cancer also continues to rise, so it’s vital that we see investment in prostate cancer care to ensure men get access to the best treatments that improve their quality of life, reduces side effects, and gives them longer, happier years with their partners, family and friends."