VHI: 16% increase in those treated for prostate cancer

VHI Healthcare said in the past five years, it has seen a 16% increase in the number of its customers being treated for prostate cancer.

In 2010, over 2,100 VHI customers were treated for the disease at a total cost of almost €20.6m.

Vhi Healthcare customers account for approximately 70% of the reported almost 3,000 men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Ireland.

The health insurance firm is releasing the figures to mark Blue September - an awareness campaign of male specific cancer.