Why are working-class men with prostate cancer being left behind by the NHS?

According to the article, working-class men with prostate cancer are being left behind by the NHS because men in more affluent areas are more likely to be aware that they can ask their GPs for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, which are crucial for early detection and treatment.

How has prostate cancer mortality changed in England since 2016?

The article states that deaths from prostate cancer have fallen across England since 2016, but the improvements in wealthy areas are far outpacing those in more deprived parts of the country.

What does the article say is necessary to address the inequality in prostate cancer outcomes?

The article suggests that experts say it is necessary to introduce screening for prostate cancer, so checks are proactively offered to all men at greatest risk, such as black men and those with a family history of the disease.

Home / Health / Prostate Cancer Mortality Divide Widens Between Wealthy and Deprived Areas in England

Prostate Cancer Mortality Divide Widens Between Wealthy and Deprived Areas in England

13 Nov

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Summary

Prostate cancer deaths falling across England since 2016
Improvements faster in affluent areas than deprived regions
Experts say targeted screening needed to reach high-risk men

Prostate Cancer Mortality Divide Widens Between Wealthy and Deprived Areas in England

As of November 2025, new data reveals a concerning trend in prostate cancer mortality across England. While deaths from the disease have fallen overall since 2016, the improvements have been far more pronounced in affluent areas compared to more deprived regions of the country.

Experts state that this data highlights the urgent need to introduce targeted screening for prostate cancer. Currently, men in wealthier communities are more likely to be aware that they can request prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests from their GPs. However, those in working-class and disadvantaged areas are being left behind, often unaware of the option to get proactively checked.