Late diagnosis of prostate cancer could cost employers up to £100K per case, data reveals

Employers and individuals face significantly higher costs when prostate cancer is diagnosed at a late stage, according to data released by corporate healthcare trust provider, Healix Health.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, it is now the most common form of cancer in England, with a significant 25% increase in cases between 2019 and 2023, potentially driven by greater awareness of the disease. 

Healix’s review of thousands of employer health plans shows that early-stage, localised prostate cancer typically incurs around £30,000 in first-year costs. 

However, in many of these cases, ‘watchful waiting’, a recognised alternative to immediate intervention, is recommended, with patients being closely monitored. As a result, actual scheme costs can be significantly lower when active treatment is avoided.

In contrast, later-stage prostate cancer (stages 3 and 4) often requires a multimodal approach involving radiotherapy, systemic hormone therapies, advanced imaging, and sometimes chemotherapy or newer generation agents. This significantly increases both the complexity and cost of care. First-year treatment for stage 3 disease may reach up to £50,000, with stage 4 potentially exceeding £100,000 per year.

Because advanced disease typically requires long-term ongoing management, including regular imaging and continuous treatment, cumulative claims costs can easily exceed half a million pounds per individual over time.

Keira Wallis, Head of Clinical Operations at Healix Health, said, “These figures are a wake-up call for employers. According to Cancer Research UK, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of death in men after lung cancer—and it’s often symptomless in its early stages. Long NHS waiting lists for cancer diagnoses means the role of employers is becoming increasingly vital. To reduce the financial burden on employers and individuals its vital businesses invest in early awareness and education, including encouraging individuals to seek clinical advice if they have family history of the illness. 

“Taking early action not only saves lives— but also gives businesses more flexibility to invest in preventative care and offer a broader range of physical and mental health benefits without having to make tough trade-offs.”

Image provided by Tara Winstead via Canva