MORE MEN in Tayside and Fife are surviving prostate cancer, according to statistics published by the Scottish Executive.

The number of male sufferers alive five years after diagnosis in Tayside has increased from 41.5% in 1998 to 47.7% in 2003.

Between the same years the survival rate has increased from 39.5% to 48.1% in Fife.

Throughout Scotland, the survival rate has risen from 37.1% to 48%.

The figures support a detailed analysis of survival rates from all types of cancer in Scotland published by the Scottish Executive last year.

At that time it was reported that survival rates for all cancers, including prostate, had increased.

Experts said the rise in prostate cancer survival was partly due to better diagnosis which helped with early detection, although it was not clear if early diagnosis prolonged the life of patients.

Former health minister Malcolm Chisholm described the figures showing improved survival rates from all types of cancer as hugely encouraging, and reflected advances made in past decades in early diagnosis and better treatment.

The US-based Prostate Cancer Institute recently published an estimate saying that 50% of men over 50 years of age, and 70% of men over 70 have some form of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, with over 27,000 men diagnosed each year and 10,000 men dying.

Despite these statistics thousands of men over 45 do not know they have a prostate gland, what it does or how it can go wrong.

To raise awareness of prostate cancer and the prostate gland, The Prostate Cancer Charity is launching a “Real Man” pub campaign during its Prostate Cancer Awareness Week from March 21 to March 27.

Information on the campaign is available on 020 8222 7676 or www.prostate-cancer.org.uk.