Incidence1
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. It accounts for nearly a quarter of all new male cancer diagnoses. In 2006, there were 35,515 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the UK, an age-standardised rate of 97.1.
Mortality1
Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men, accounting for around 12 per cent of all male cancer deaths. In 2007 there were 10,239 deaths in the UK from prostate cancer.
Survival1
Survival rates for prostate cancer have been improving for more than 30 years. The detection of a greater proportion of latent, earlier, slow growing tumours has had a beneficial effect on survival rates.
The relative five year survival rate for men diagnosed in England and Wales in 2000-2001 was 71 per cent compared with only 31 per cent for men diagnosed in 1971-75.
Risk Factors
Age1
The strongest risk factor is age. Prostate cancer is largely a disease of older men and is rare below the age of 50. More than 75 per cent of cases occur in men over 65, with the largest number being diagnosed in those aged 70 to 74.
The risk of developing prostate cancer rises steeply with age.
Family history1
Risk increases two to three times for men with a family history of prostate cancer in a first-degree relative. If the relative is <60 years old at diagnosis, or more than one relative is affected, the risk is increased by four times.
Ethnicity
In the UK, the incidence of prostate cancer is higher in black Carribean and black African men (about two to three times that of white men), and lowest in Asian men.
Diet
Lycopenes (from tomatoes and tomato based products) and selenium are thought to have a protective effect, whilst diets high in calcium may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
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