Official data reveal that the number of men awaiting NHS treatment for prostate and other urological cancers has more than doubled over the past five years, sparking alarm among health experts.
In the year ending May 2025, 22,004 men experienced waits of two months or more before beginning treatment despite urgent referrals. This figure marks a sharp increase from 10,941 patients during the same period in 2019/20. The vast majority of these cases involved prostate cancer, the most common urological malignancy.
Urgent referrals for urological cancers climbed from 36,879 in 2020 to 52,464 in 2025, while those waiting over 104 days for treatment more than doubled from 3,625 to 7,805.
NHS targets stipulate that 85% of cancer patients should start treatment within 62 days of referral, yet recent figures show only 58.1% of urology patients met this benchmark in May 2025, down from 70.3% in May 2020.
Specific data on prostate cancer waiting times, tracked since 2023, paint an even grimmer picture: only 55% of patients began treatment within the 62-day target in May 2025.
Oliver Kemp, CEO of Prostate Cancer Research, called the situation “alarming and unacceptable,” warning that prolonged delays risk turning curable cases into incurable ones. “We’re seeing men with aggressive prostate cancers deteriorate while stuck in queues. These delays represent missed chances to save lives,” he said.
The Telegraph is advocating for targeted PSA screening, particularly for high-risk groups such as Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer. Early-stage diagnosis boasts nearly 100% five-year survival rates, compared to roughly 50% once cancer spreads beyond the prostate.
While the UK National Screening Committee previously rejected widespread PSA testing due to concerns over accuracy and unnecessary procedures, improvements in diagnostic technology have renewed hopes that screening could reduce prostate cancer deaths by up to 40%.
NHS officials acknowledge the surge in referrals has strained services but highlight ongoing efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment times. A Department of Health spokesperson emphasized investments in advanced radiotherapy equipment and increasing cancer diagnoses within 28 days as signs of progress, committing to further NHS improvements.
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