Herefordshire man says prostate cancer diagnosis came as 'shock', as cases rise nationally
New data's shown the number of newly diagnosed cases reached 55,033 across England in 2023
A man from Herefordshire says his prostate cancer diagnosis came out of the blue, as research shows a continued rise in cases nationally.
According to Prostate Cancer UK, prostate cancer has become England's most common cancer, with the diagnoses of the disease overtaking breast cancer in 2022 and 2023.
New analysis of NHS data by the charity has shown the number of newly diagnosed cases reached 55,033 across England in 2023, compared with 47,526 breast cancer cases.
In 2022, there was a total of 50,751 diagnoses, with 48,531 cases of breast cancer being recorded.
The charity say there's been an increase of around 25% of prostate cancer cases between 2019 to 2023, and that knowing your risk of getting prostate cancer is 'vitally important'.
67-year-old Ian Phillipson from Burghill went for a routine PSA test in November 2023, and had a second one at the end of the month which indicated a high PSA reading.
This was then followed by an MRI scan and a biopsy, before he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in in January 2024.
"It was a total surprise that I had the diagnosis," he said.
"I had no symptoms or signs, no issues or idea that there was any problem, it effectively came out of the blue."
Ian said he then started hormone therapy in March 2024, before undergoing radiotherapy in June and being given the all clear later that year.
He said: "Fortunately it was very minor, we caught it nice and early,
"Back in August, I was told that there seemed to be no symptoms or signs of cancer, so it's effectively in remission.
"I had that test done early, so it picked up an issue that I had no knowledge of, and they were able to do something about it with what I hope is going to be a really positive outcome long-term."
The NHS national clinical director for cancer, professor Peter Johnson, said the NHS was "diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before", meaning they have the "best possible chance of receiving effective treatment."
In the Midlands, 8,030 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year according to the latest data.