Prostate cancer rate rises 16% in last five years

There has been a 16% rise in the number of men treated for prostate cancer in the last five years.

The figure was released by VHI Healthcare, whose customers account for about 70% of around 3,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in Ireland.

Last year, 2,160 VHI customers were treated for prostate cancer at cost of almost €20.6m. Five years ago, 1,810 men received treatment, costing just under €18m.