PROSTATE Cancer UK and the NHS have joined forces today to launch a campaign to find more than 14,000 men in the UK who need treatment for prostate cancer but have not yet come forward.
Latest statistics released by NHS England show that urological cancer referrals in North West England alone have dropped by 5,700 (14%) since the start of the pandemic.
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 checked 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.”
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.org
