Prostate Cancer UK warns that regions are being left behind in a postcode lottery

Prostate Cancer UK warns that regions are being left behind in a ‘postcode lottery’, as the latest data shows huge variation in the likelihood of patients being diagnosed after their cancer has spread beyond the prostate and become incurable.

The latest National Prostate Cancer Audit (NPCA) reports show significantly higher risk for men in more deprived areas being diagnosed too late for a cure.

When split into regions, the data shows that in London just 1 in 8 men (12.5%) with prostate cancer are diagnosed with metastatic disease, rising to more than 1 in 3 (35%) in Scotland. Wales, Northern Ireland, and the North and Midlands of England, are also shown to be badly affected.

Aston spoke to Amy Rylance, head of improving care at Prostate Cancer UK.