970 people in Dorset diagnosed with prostate cancer every year

Prostate Cancer UK has revealed that prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as England’s most common cancer.

NHS figures reveal that around 970 people in Dorset are diagnosed with the disease every year.

The illness is common in men over 50.

Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer won’t give you symptoms in its crucial early stages when it’s easier to treat, so as a charity we can’t tell you about tell-tale signs to look out for.

“That’s why we do everything we can to make every man aware of his risk of getting the disease and empower him to think about his testing options – so that he has the best chance of getting that all-important earlier diagnosis.

“Because the earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat.”

The NHS say symptoms of prostate cancer include an increased need to urinate, straining while you urinate and a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.

Amy Rylance from the charity said: “In some ways this latest data is good news, because it shows us the awareness activities over the last couple of years have really worked. We have thousands of men getting the treatment that they need.”

Amy says improved testing is helping people get their diagnosis earlier.

“We know that people worry about outdated practices where people had to have a physical exam, but the best test for Prostate Cancer is a simple blood test. That will tell you and your doctor whether you would benefit from having further tests,”