Breast cancer overtaken by prostate as England’s ‘most common cancer’

Latest figures show that prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England, and has overtaken breast cancer for the first time.

In 2018, there were approaching 50,000 registered cases, an increase of around 8,000 on the previous year.

In that year, 316,680 cancer diagnoses were made, which is the equivalent of 868 cases a day. Of these, prostate was the most common diagnosis with 49,029 cases, followed by breast cancer with 47,476 cases.

Bowel and lung cancers were the next most commonly diagnosed.

Professor Peter Johnson, chief medical officer for Cancer Research UK’s centre for drug development, said “As people live longer, we’re likely to see prostate cancer diagnosed more often, and with well-known figures like Rod Stewart, Stephen Fry and Bill Turnbull all talking openly about their diagnosis, more people will be aware of the risk.”

Professor Johnson added that more people are coming forward for checks and an improvement in care meant the disease is increasingly being diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is most successful and chances of survival are highest.

Public Health England’s Head of Cancer Analysis, Lucy Elliss-Brookes, said “Although we are seeing a continued rise in cancer diagnoses, it’s encouraging that we are also seeing increases in survival, as well as an overall decrease in emergency diagnoses of cancer.”

Macmillan Cancer Support chief executive Lynda Thomas, said that whilst it was good news that more people are seeing their doctor to check for cancer, she added that the increasing numbers came at a time when the NHS were under added pressure, with longer waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738