Prostate cancer: UK and international data

Both the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in Scotland is lower than the average for the UK and Ireland combined. Across Scotland, England, and Wales, there is much less variation in mortality than incidence. The UK Cancer e-Atlas is an interactive tool which provides a way of viewing cancer incidence and mortality statistics for the UK.

Incidence of prostate cancer is higher in the UK and other western countries, than in the rest of the world (2012 data). A similar pattern is seen for prostate cancer mortality (2012 data). The World Health Organization's Cancer Today website is an interactive atlas that allows worldwide comparisons of cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence.

The mortality rate for prostate cancer in Scotland falls in the middle to upper range of rates reported by other countries (chart of mortality trends for selected countries).

The proportion of patients surviving at least five years after their prostate cancer diagnosis, for those diagnosed during 2000-2007, was lower in Scotland than in many other European countries, but very similar to the English estimate (view chart (36Kb)). However, it is important to note that some countries do not have complete coverage by cancer registration. It should not be assumed that survival differences between countries necessarily reflect differences in the quality of care since there are many other potential explanations, including variations in the rates of detection of latent disease through use of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. A previous population-based audit of prostate cancer in Scotland did identify inconsistencies in disease management (Howard et al, 2001) and highlighted the need for a multidisciplinary approach, which has now become standard practice.