Macmillan says 600,000 men in UK are living with prostate cancer
Macmillan Cancer Support says 600,000 men in the UK have prostate cancer, with a new diagnosis every eight minutes.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Macmillan Cancer Support has released new figures showing that around 600,000 men in the UK are living with prostate cancer. The charity says more than 68,000 men are diagnosed each year, equivalent to one every eight minutes. The number has risen by 100,000 since 2020.
The increase is partly due to an ageing population, as prostate cancer is more common in older men. But there is also greater awareness, with high-profile figures such as Sir Chris Hoy, Jeremy Clarkson and David Cameron speaking openly about their diagnoses. This has encouraged more men to come forward for testing.
However, Macmillan warns that myths still surround the disease. It is not only a condition for men over 50; younger men, those with a family history, and black men are also at higher risk. Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why the charity urges men to see their GP if they have any concerns.
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. Men can request a blood test through their GP. The charity's message is simple: if you have concerns, don't ignore them.
One man who did not ignore his symptoms is Tony Collier. He was diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer in 2017 after developing pain while training for an ultramarathon. He had no prior symptoms. Nine years on, he is doing well and recently saw his grandson become a teenager, something he never expected to witness.
The figures serve as a reminder of the scale of the disease and the importance of early detection.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV | Sky News |
|---|---|---|
| Macmillan Cancer Support estimates that around 600,000 men in the UK are living with prostate cancer. | ||
| One man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every eight minutes, about 68,000 diagnoses per year. | ||
| The UK does not have a national screening programme for prostate cancer, but men can get a blood test from their GP. | ||
| Around 68,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and 600,000 men live with it in the UK. | · | |
| Prostate cancer can affect younger men, men with a family history, and black men, not only men over 50. | · | |
| The number of men living with prostate cancer has increased by 100,000 since 2020. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
Sky News focused on the reasons behind the rising numbers, including an ageing population and greater awareness, and highlighted the myths that may prevent men from getting checked. The correspondent also stressed the lack of a national screening programme and encouraged men in at-risk groups to see their GP.
- “one man diagnosed every eight minutes about 68,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer a year around 600,000 men living with it in the UK”
- “the UK doesn't have a national screening program We decided not to introduce that back in March”
- “the message from the cancer charity is we want that awareness to keep growing”
ITV1 placed emphasis on the personal story of Tony Collier, a man living with terminal prostate cancer, to illustrate the human impact. It also highlighted the 100,000 increase since 2020 and the fact that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, while repeating the advice for men to see their GP.
- “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in the whole of the UK.”
- “the number of men living with prostate cancer in this country has increased by 100,000 since 2020”
- “If you have concerns, don't ignore them.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.