One man diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK 'every eight minutes'

More than 68,000 men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year - the equivalent of one diagnosis every eight minutes, a charity has said.

Macmillan Cancer Support said the number of men living with the disease in the UK had surged by 100,000 since 2020.

The charity's latest estimates show there are now around 600,000 men living with prostate cancer in the UK, compared with around 500,000 in 2020.

It said prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the UK.

The charity has warned that "myths" surrounding the disease could be preventing men from getting checked.

"One of the biggest misunderstandings I hear is that feeling well means you cannot have prostate cancer," said Dr Anthony Cunliffe, lead medical adviser at Macmillan Cancer Support.

"Many people are surprised to learn that, in reality, prostate cancer often develops without symptoms in its early stages, which is why it's important to have a conversation with your GP if you're worried."

The charity said some men with the disease will not see symptoms for many years and symptoms usually occur when the cancer is large enough to press on the urethra - the tube which passes urine.

Dr Cunliffe explained how prostate cancer generally occurs in men over 50, but that it can develop earlier in some groups, including black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

"As a GP, if, after discussing testing with a patient, we decide together to go ahead, then we often use a blood test called a PSA (prostate-specific antigen).

"Some GPs may suggest an examination of the prostate, because it might give them more information, but this isn't always necessary and declining one won't be a barrier to having a blood test.

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Earlier this year, the UK National Screening Committee recommended against screening all men using the PSA blood test, saying it is "likely to cause more harm than good".

Experts did recommend that a few thousand high-risk men with a certain gene mutation should be screened for the disease.

Officials also announced that a screening trial will be expanded so that all eligible black men will be invited to take part.

Dr Cunliffe said: "While there isn't one single reason behind the rise in prostate cancer, an ageing and growing population is a big part of the picture."

(c) Sky News 2026: One man diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK 'every eight minutes'