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There are some conversations Black men need to have with each other that go beyond the game, the grind, or even the latest headlines. One of the most important is prostate cancer.
This is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide, but for Black men, the stakes are even higher. Studies show that Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than White men.
If you’re a Black man, your lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer is roughly 1 in 4, compared to about 1 in 8 for White men.
Not only are Black men at higher risk, but they can also get prostate cancer at a younger age than others, and their risk increases as they get older.
In 2022, the American Cancer Society conducted a literature review, which found that Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to White men (Lillard Jr et al., 2022).
So, what’s the cause of these disparities?
Researchers have found several factors for this. They include:
- The structural racism that has been embedded in the medical system for centuries.
- Lack of awareness and understanding of the disease
- Genetic factor
- Low enrollment in clinical trials
Dr Adewunmi Alabi, Consultant Clinical and Radiation Oncologist, shared more on the subject.
“When we talk about risk factors for prostate cancer, it could be racial, that’s where the common in Blacks comes in. We can’t really say this is why it is common in them, but this is what we have discovered that people who are of that race are more prone to have it.
“There is also the genetic aspect because it also runs in some families. Many of these Black people have it run in their families and eventually will have it.
Why Early Detection Matters
There is a Bible verse that states, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). When it comes to health, knowledge isn’t just power; it’s prevention, early detection, and in many cases, the key to survival. Prostate cancer is one of those conditions where awareness can mean the difference between life and death, especially for Black men.
Lack of awareness has been identified as one of the reasons Black men get diagnosed with prostate cancer at more advanced stages, which limits treatment options and decreases survival rates.
A study by Prostate Cancer UK found that only 20% of Black men surveyed were aware that their ethnicity was a risk factor for prostate cancer.
Black men, particularly those with a family history of early-onset prostate cancer, should begin screenings earlier, according to the American Cancer Society. If you have a father or brother who was diagnosed before 65, the recommendation is age 45. For those with more than one close relative diagnosed before 65, screenings should start at age 40.
If you’re not in a high-risk group, screening should begin at 50. Everyone should continue to get screenings every year or every other year. Don’t wait for symptoms, as most early prostate cancers have no symptoms.
The main prostate cancer screening tests are a digital rectal exam and a PSA test.
- PSA Test: This is a simple test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. A PSA test allows your doctor or healthcare provider to keep track of your PSA levels. Tracking your levels consistently helps your doctor provide successful treatment options before the disease becomes life-threatening.
- Digital Rectal Exam: With this method, a doctor checks for an enlarged prostate. During this test, the doctor will check the size of the prostate and feel for bumps, soft or hard spots, or other things that might not be normal. It’s a very quick test, and you will be done before you know it.
If either test is abnormal, further testing is done with a prostate biopsy, which involves obtaining a small sample of prostate tissue.
PSA and DRE have been used for prostate cancer screening for decades, but a newer option, prostate MRI, helps identify aggressive cancers that are most likely to cause harm.
However, there are still men who say they would rather not know if they have prostate cancer, because of the side effects from the treatment. Such a mindset, unfortunately, often leads to worse health outcomes in the long run.
Some Black men may be hesitant about prostate cancer screening for various reasons, such as health stigma and distrust of the healthcare system. Some others do not see the need since they have no symptoms and are not feeling ill. This is regrettable because the survival rate of prostate cancer is very high when detected and treated early.
If you are yet to get a PSA prostate test or it has been a while since your last, June is a good time to schedule one because it’s Men’s Health Month.
“Since we now know that PC is a cancer that commonly affects Black men and African Americans, we need to educate Black men and tell them to screen themselves for prostate cancer early in life. At the age of 40, they should start screening for PSA yearly just to check themselves, so that if they have it, they can be treated because it is a cancer that is curable and treatable if found early.
“That is usually why we want awareness to be increased so that more men will know and they can have themselves checked at the right time, so they don’t come down with PC,” says Dr Alabi.
What types of treatment are available for patients with prostate cancer? Your treatment options will depend on whether your cancer is contained within the prostate gland (localized), has spread just outside of the prostate (locally advanced), or has spread to other parts of the body (advanced).
Common treatments include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Prostate
Taking steps to keep the prostate healthy can have a significant impact on a man’s life. While genetics plays a role, lifestyle habits can reduce risk and support prostate health.
Start early: You’re never too young to schedule regular checkups with a primary care physician. Routine doctor visits lead to early detection and better outcomes.
Eat a nutrient-rich diet: We all know that eating a healthy diet benefits our overall health, prostate included. For a healthy prostate, limit fatty foods and alcohol, and avoid smoking altogether. Also, focus on leafy greens, tomatoes, fish, and nuts, which contain prostate-friendly nutrients.
Routine exercise: Staying active can help reduce inflammation, improve immune function, and decrease the risk of prostate enlargement and cancer. In 2019, Harvard researchers published findings that showed men who engaged most frequently in vigorous activity had a 30% lower risk of developing advanced prostate cancer and a 25% lower risk of dying from prostate cancer compared with men who exercised the least.
Know your family history: If prostate cancer runs in your family, get screened early. Work with your doctor to understand when and how frequently you need to be screened.”
Report urinary symptoms as soon as they arise: While more frequent bathroom visits may seem normal with age, such changes could signal an underlying health issue. Don’t delay consulting your doctor about new or unusual urinary symptoms.
The more you do to protect yourself from prostate cancer, the better your odds of avoiding it.
