Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men—it accounts for approximately 23% of all new male cancer diagnoses and is responsible for 13% of cancer deaths in men, second only to lung cancer (24%). Approximately, 34 986 new cases are diagnosed each year and 10 000 men die from prostate cancer every year in England and Wales. It is predicted to overtake lung cancer as a cause of death in the future. Worldwide it is the sixth most common cancer. The incidence varies widely by ethnic group around the world. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK is 1 in 14 men (though many more will die with undiagnosed prostate cancer). It is estimated that 15–30% of men over 50 will have histological evidence of prostate cancer. At 80 years, approximately two-thirds will have detectable prostate cancer. Despite this high prevalence only one in four will die from the disease, hence the phrase ‘Men are more likely to die with prostate cancer than from it’.