Electric prostate cancer solution could be offered to more men to destroy tumors as NHS watchdog relaxes rules

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 about 11,400 women who die from breast cancer.

It means prostate cancer is behind only lungs and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain.

In the US, 26,000 men die from the disease each year.

Despite this, it receives less than half of breast cancer research funding and treatments for the disease are at least a decade behind schedule.

How many men are diagnosed each year?

Each year, more than 52,300 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK – more than 140 a day.

How fast is it developing?

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs that someone has had it for many years, according to the health service.

If the cancer is at an early stage and does not cause symptoms, a policy of ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’ may be followed.

Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated at an early stage.

But if it is diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving the symptoms.

Thousands of men are deterred from getting a diagnosis because of the known side effects of the treatment, including erectile dysfunction.

Testing and treatment

Tests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools just beginning to emerge.

There is no nationwide prostate screening program because the tests have been too imprecise for years.

Doctors struggle to differentiate between aggressive and less severe tumors, making it difficult to make a decision about treatment.

Men over the age of 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test that gives doctors a rough idea of ​​whether a patient is at risk.

But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result usually get 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 Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecancer.org