How many people does he 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 only behind lung and bowel cancer in terms of how many people it kills in Britain.
In the United States, the disease kills 26,000 men each year.
Despite this, it receives less than half of the funding for breast cancer research and treatments for the disease are at least a decade behind schedule.
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 of someone having it for many years, depending on the National Health Service.
If the cancer is in an early stage and is not causing symptoms, a “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance” policy may be adopted.
Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.
But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.
Thousands of men are discouraged from seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects of treatment, including erectile dysfunction.
Tests and treatment
Testing for prostate cancer is confusing, and precise tools are just beginning to emerge.
There is no national prostate screening program because the tests have been too inaccurate for years.
Doctors have difficulty distinguishing between aggressive and less serious tumors, making it difficult to decide treatment.
Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.
But it is not reliable. Patients who obtain a positive result usually undergo a biopsy, which is also not foolproof.
Scientists aren’t sure what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity, and lack of exercise are known risks.
Anyone with any concerns can speak to the specialist nurses at Prostate Cancer UK on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecancer.org
