Prostate Cancer UK and NHS launch campaign to find 14,000 undiagnosed men who need urgent treatment
The NHS and Prostate Cancer UK have today joined forces to launch a new campaign to find more than 14,000 men across the country who need treatment for prostate cancer but have not yet come forward.
The campaign will encourage men to use Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker to learn more about their level of risk and what action they can take, including getting check
ed by their GP if they are at higher risk. It will run across TV, radio, print, out-of-home advertising and social media from today.
Prostate cancer is very treatable if caught early, so men are being urged to check their risk “without delay” so it can be found before the cancer spreads.
New figures show that prostate cancer accounts for a third of those not treated for cancer compared to before the pandemic.
Previous NHS research found that half of people would delay coming forward to their GP during the height of the pandemic because they didn’t want to burden the health service.
More than 58,000 men in England have begun treatment for prostate cancer since April 2020, but that’s 14,000 fewer than would have been expected compared with pre-pandemic numbers.
NHS bosses and Prostate Cancer UK are now urging men to come forward and use NHS services, which remain open – as they have been throughout the pandemic – for anyone concerned about cancer.
Although urological cancer referral rates in England were back at usual levels by the end of 2021, with overall levels of cancer referrals at record levels since March 2021, the health service and charity are warning that they need more men to come forward to find the 14,000 men across the UK who have not yet started treatment for prostate cancer.
One in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Men over 50, black men, or those whose father or brother had the disease are at even greater risk.
Although men shouldn’t wait for symptoms, anyone who does experience symptoms such as problems urinating or needing to pee more often, should speak to their doctor to get checked.
Nicola Tallett, Acting Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK said:
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, but the pandemic has meant thousands of men have not come forward for diagnosis and could be missing out on life-saving treatment.
“Although thousands of men are still being treated each month, if things don’t change soon, the number of men missing out will continue to grow.
“Men have been telling us they haven’t wanted to “bother” their GP during the pandemic – particularly if they don’t have any symptoms, which is the case for most men with early prostate cancer. This means men at higher risk of the disease are not having those vital conversations about their risk that can lead to a diagnosis.
“That’s why we’re working with NHS England to raise awareness and encourage men to take our risk checker to find out more about their risk and what they can do about it.”
Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for Cancer for the NHS in England, said:
“I urge you to use the Prostate Cancer UK risk checker today – it is a quick and easy way to understand your risk of prostate cancer and how you can take further action if you are at risk. “The prognosis for the people we’re yet to see will be much better the earlier we see them but we do need to see them as soon as possible.
“It’s important men understand prostate cancer often doesn’t show any symptoms at an early stage, so don’t delay – check your risk now. The simple check could be lifesaving.”
Journalist, presenter, and Prostate Cancer UK ambassador Bill Turnbull is supporting the Prostate Cancer UK and NHS England’s latest campaign. He said: “So much has been done to raise awareness of prostate cancer in recent years, and it’s critical we don’t lose any more ground because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Prostate cancer is so much more treatable when it’s caught early, unfortunately mine wasn’t. So if you’re a man who’s at risk of the disease or worried about prostate cancer, don’t put off going to the doctor to talk about it. “It’s understandable that people haven’t wanted to go to their GP during a pandemic, but the message is that the NHS is open and they want to see you. You can also find out more about your risk and what you can do about it by using the risk checker on Prostate Cancer UK’s website.” Actor, comedian and writer, Stephen Fry, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 after a routine health check. He said: “As you can imagine, I was pretty knocked back when I received a diagnosis of prostate cancer, particularly as I had no symptoms to indicate anything was wrong – something I later learned is very common. Thankfully it was caught early, making it more treatable. “That’s why I’d urge you to check your risk and speak to your GP if you have any concerns – even if you feel completely well, as I did. Prostate Cancer UK’s risk checker can help you understand your risk and the next steps to take.”
Check your risk using Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker at prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck #MenWeAreWithYou
Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer can also contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses on weekdays on 0800 074 8383 or online at www.prostatecanceruk.orgReferences 1. The 14,000 figure is an estimate based on publicly available data showing the shortfall in expected prostate cancer treatment figures in England and Scotland between April 2020 and December 2021. Equivalent figures are not yet available for Wales and Northern Ireland. • Public Health Scotland Cancer Waiting Times. Table 5. https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/cancer-waiting-times/cancer-waiting-times-1-july-to-30-september-2021/ • NHS England Statistics Supplementary Information: Number CWT of 31-day first treatments for prostate cancer https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/ 2. NHS England Statistics Supplementary Information: Number CWT of 31-day first treatments for prostate cancer https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/supplementary-information/
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For more information, interviews or to speak to a case study please contact Prostate Cancer UK’s media team on 07984 325 001 or pressoffice@prostatecanceruk.org.
About Prostate Cancer UK • Prostate Cancer UK has a simple ambition – to stop prostate cancer damaging the lives of men and their families. • Investing into finding better treatments and tests that could save thousands of lives. • Working with the NHS to make sure men get access to breakthrough tests and treatments. • Spreading the word about who is at risk of prostate cancer, especially to those at higher risk. • Supporting people dealing with prostate cancer and providing health information. • Visit prostatecanceruk.org now to help beat this disease. • @ProstateUK #MenWeAreWithYou
About prostate cancer • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. • More than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year – that's one man every 45 minutes. • More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that's 129 men every day. • 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This raises to 1 in 4 for black men. • Around 400,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer. • A 30-second online risk checker is available at prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker • Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50 and the risk increases with age. But the risk is higher for black men or men with a family history of prostate cancer, so they may wish to speak to their GP from age 45. • Prostate cancer often has no symptoms so men shouldn’t wait to see changes before they act. • Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer may contact Prostate Cancer UK's Specialist Nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service: www.prostatecanceruk.org. The Specialist Nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm