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The number of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in England surged by almost 4,000 in just one year, a major national study has found.
Figures from the National Prostate Cancer Audit show a record 60,827 men were diagnosed with the disease in England in 2025 – up 7 per cent from 57,029 in 2024.
The audit also found the number of men being diagnosed after their cancer had already spread to other parts of the body is on the rise.
Worryingly, late-stage prostate cancer cases rose even faster than diagnoses overall, increasing by almost 11 per cent in just one year from 5,696 in 2024 to 6,312 in 2025.
But there was some cause for optimism.
An analysis of more than 45,000 men with incurable advanced prostate cancer found 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, dropping nearly 10 per cent between 2015 and 2022.
Further analysis by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found the risk of dying from prostate cancer fell by almost a quarter over the same period.
Experts said the improvements have been driven by a series of treatment breakthroughs, including the wider use of chemotherapy, newer hormone therapies and prostate radiotherapy.
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, having overtaken breast cancer.
More than 68,000 men are newly diagnosed each year – equivalent to one diagnosis every eight minutes.
In response, Prostate Cancer UK warned that the growing number of men living with and prostate cancer means health services must be equipped to provide the treatment and follow-up care men need to live well for longer, especially those facing 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,’ Natalia Norori, head of data and evidence at the charity said.
‘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.’
The NCPA added that early detection remains crucial.
‘The number of men diagnosed with cancer continues to increase significantly, and steps need to be taken to ensure we have the healthcare resources to care for these men,’ Professor Noel Clarke, clinical surgical lead of the NPCA, said.
‘Most men can be cured, particularly if the cancer is found early, emphasising that early detection is crucial.’
