How many people does it kill?
More than 11,800 men a year (or one every 45 minutes) die from the disease in Britain, compared with around 11,400 women who die from breast cancer.
This means that prostate cancer is second only to lung and bowel cancer in terms of the number of people it kills in Britain.
In the United States, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.
Yet it receives less than half of the funding for breast cancer research and treatments for the disease are at least a decade behind.
How many men are diagnosed annually?
Every year, more than 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK – more than 140 every day.
How fast does it develop?
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs that someone has it for many years, according to National Health Service.
If the cancer is in an early stage and does not cause symptoms, a policy of “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance” may be adopted.
Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.
But if it is diagnosed at a more advanced stage, when it has already spread, it becomes terminal and treatment focuses on relieving symptoms.
Thousands of men refrain from seeking a diagnosis due to known side effects of treatment, including erectile dysfunction.
Tests and treatment
Tests for prostate cancer are random and accurate tools are only just beginning to emerge.
There is no national prostate cancer screening program because tests have been too inaccurate for years.
Doctors have difficulty distinguishing between aggressive and less serious tumors, making treatment decisions difficult.
Men over 50 are eligible for a “PSA” blood test that gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.
But it is not reliable. Patients who get a positive result usually undergo a biopsy, which is also not infallible.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and lack of exercise are known risks.
Anyone with concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org
