MORE men in West Yorkshire were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, according to new figures.

Latest statistics from NHS England show there were 2,264 men registered with prostate cancer in the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board in 2022 - a 30 per cent increase on the year before.

Meanwhile, across England, there was a 26 per cent rise in diagnoses in 2022, with almost 55,000 new cases identified in the space of a year.

The figures come as males across the UK are being urged to check their risk during Men's Health Awareness Month.

'My diagnosis came out of nowhere'

Retired police officer Craig Ward runs a prostate cancer support group in Bradford.

Craig was diagnosed with the cancer in December 2021 and had his prostate removed the same month. 

He said: "This diagnosis came out of nowhere. 

"I only attended my doctor's for a regular blood test after just one symptom - which led to them referring me to a urology consultant. 

"Then, after an MRI and biopsy, I was given the news.

"Devastated was an understatement.

"Why me? How did I get it? The questions go on and on. 

"I have since come out of a dark place and I have found that you can get back up and continue with your life with only a few changes - with help from others who have been there and got the t-shirt.

"I am now nearly three years post-op, in full-time employment and enjoying a full and active social life."

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men (Image: Yui Mok)

His Green Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at The Idle Draper on The Green, Idle, from 7pm every fortnight on Wednesday.

Craig said: "All are welcome to attend - if only to gain information on the subject of prostate cancer. 

"This could persuade more men to go and get checked."

He said he received "very positive" feedback from men who attend the group, adding: "We all share our experiences, both good and bad.

"It's certainly not all doom and gloom."

Craig told the Telegraph & Argus a number of men said the group had been "invaluable" in helping them decide on treatment options. 

People interested in attending the group can email Craig on wardcraig777@gmail.com for more information.

'Early diagnoses saves lives'

Amy Rylance, assistant director of health improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said there was a "huge drop" in men getting tested for the condition during the coronavirus pandemic.

She added: "By early 2022, there were more than 14,000 men missing a prostate cancer diagnosis.

"To find these 'missing men', we launched a major campaign with the NHS in 2022, and created our online risk checker which enables men to quickly find out their risk of getting prostate cancer and what they can do about it."

She said the latest NHS figures confirmed the effectiveness of the charity's campaign.

Claire Taylor, chief nursing officer at Macmillan Cancer Support, said early diagnoses saves lives.

She urged those in a high-risk category - such as black men and those with a family history of earlier age cancer - to get checked.

Prostate Cancer UK is also calling on the Government to update NHS guidelines which prevent GPs from proactively talking to men most at risk about their options - a move it said could save thousands of lives a year.

NHS national cancer director Dame Cally Palmer said the NHS was diagnosing more cancers and working to raise awareness.

She added: "While staff have been working hard to see and treat more people with cancer than ever before, we know that some people are still waiting too long to receive a diagnosis or the all-clear, and there is more to do to ensure all patients receive high-quality and timely care.

"If you are worried about potential signs and symptoms of cancer, it is important that you contact your GP without delay."

Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can use Prostate Cancer UK's online risk checker at www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker - or visit www.macmillan.org.uk for more information.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

According to the NHS, symptoms of prostate cancer can include:

  • Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night

  • Needing to rush to the toilet

  • Difficulty in starting to pee

  • Straining or taking a long time while peeing

  • Weak flow

  • Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully

  • Blood in urine or blood in semen