{"id":36674,"date":"2023-05-05T15:27:48","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T19:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/?p=36674"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:36:31","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T18:36:31","slug":"prostate-cancers-impact-on-african-americans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackhealthmatters.com\/prostate-cancers-impact-on-african-americans\/","title":{"rendered":"Prostate Cancer’s Impact On African Americans"},"content":{"rendered":"
Prostate cancer is one of the most prolific cancers<\/a> among men across the United States, second only to skin cancers. However, Black people carry a heavier burden, are more likely to develop it, and less likely to get early detection screening. The Black population is also twice as likely to suffer fatalities from aggressive prostate cancers as their White counterparts who develop prostate cancer. What is prostate cancer<\/a>? What are the symptoms? How is it treated? And why are Black people at such high risk? Learn more below.<\/p>\n The signs of prostate cancer<\/a> are relatively easy to notice, especially as the disease progresses, and many are urinary symptoms<\/a>. However, once these symptoms arise, the prostate gland cancer may have already progressed. This is why early detection is key. Because Black people have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, they should be vigilant about following up on any of the symptoms below.<\/p>\n The three most significant risk factors for prostate cancer<\/a> are age, family history, and race. Researchers have found that Black people have a much higher chance of developing prostate cancer than other races. However, there are additional risk factors that may determine whether your prostate cancer is slow-growing versus aggressive and more likely to metastasize, or spread to other organs once prostate cancer starts. These risk factors include:<\/p>\n Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about risk factors for prostate cancer, including vasectomy, increased sexual activity, alcohol intake, and taking certain supplements like Vitamin E. If you are concerned about high risk for prostate cancer, discuss it with your health care provider and the possibility of early detection screening.<\/p>\n There are many treatment options<\/a> available to those with prostate cancer. Once prostate cells have changed, a prostate biopsy can help determine the Gleason Score and the TNM Score. These, together, help determine the stage and likelihood of the abnormal cells spreading. They also help your health care team create a personalized treatment plan that will be most effective against the abnormal cells.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There is no routine test for prostate cancer screening<\/a>. However, there are several methods for screening that your healthcare provider may suggest based on your age and potential risk factors. Providers should consider early screening for the Black population as, most times, prostate cancer starts earlier and more aggressive than those in other ethnic groups.<\/p>\n If results are positive or inconclusive, a prostate biopsy will be done to confirm prostate cancer. Other tests could include transrectal ultrasound or MRI done alone or with a biopsy to locate a potential tumor. The biopsy tissue<\/a> is then tested to determine the stage of the disease and the Gleason Score, which helps providers predict how likely the cancer is to spread.<\/p>\n It’s important to understand that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men<\/a>. While it is quite common, the survival rates are mostly positive when caught in the early stages, even for African American men. Government agencies, the health care community, and the Black community should address the fact that, according to the statistics, Black people are still at much higher risk than other races.<\/p>\n Fewer men are dying from prostate cancer according to a literature review by the American Cancer Society Journal<\/a>. The 2022 publication considered numbers from 2012 to 2016. During these years, the death rates for Black men reduced significantly from 81.9 to 39.8 deaths per 100,000 patients. For White men, the death rates declined from 37 to 19 over the same period. The gap is narrowing but still not enough, as the number of Black men dying from prostate cancer is still double that of non-Hispanic White men.<\/p>\n A 2020 study<\/a> published via JAMA looked closely at active surveillance, also called “watching and waiting,” that is often prescribed for prostate cancer patients. This is because many diagnoses rarely progress to a life-threatening, advanced stage of the disease. A regular blood test can help determine if the cancer is worsening. However, a 2020 study has determined that more African American men experienced disease progression leading to advanced-stage prostate cancer treatment with this method. Nearly 60% of those choosing active surveillance required treatment for disease progression versus just over 40% for White people.<\/p>\n The National Cancer Institute<\/a> has found that, while the rates of death were similar for both Black and White males for more advanced disease, the Black population had much higher rates for low-grade prostate cancer. Scientists are still working to uncover the reasons for this. However, researchers have suggested differences in the tumors themselves. Studies of tumor genomics comparing prostate cancers of both Black and non-Hispanic White men show that those in the Black population are more likely to be aggressive, metastasizing to nearby tissue or progressing to advanced stage cancer much sooner. Another suggested cause for higher risk of death could be tumor location. Tumors<\/a> in the anterior region are harder to detect and biopsy.<\/p>\n A Black person faces many barriers to care regardless of gender or potential diagnosis. For men, that includes prostate cancers.<\/p>\n One of the most significant hurdles to quality care that much of the Black population faces in diagnosing any chronic health condition is communication with their providers. There are fewer Black providers and a smaller number that are aware of conditions that disproportionately affect the Black population. If a health care provider doesn’t understand the way prostate cancer can affect a Black patient, they may not suggest early detection screening.<\/p>\nSymptoms of Prostate Cancer<\/h2>\n
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Prostate Cancer Risk Factors<\/h2>\n
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Prostate Cancer Treatment<\/h2>\n
Possible Prostate Cancer Treatment Options:<\/h4>\n
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Screening Options and Diagnosis<\/h2>\n
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Prostate Cancer and African Americans<\/h2>\n
The Statistics<\/h3>\n
Tumor Variations and Cancer Advancement<\/h3>\n
Barriers to Care<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nDelayed Cancer Screenings<\/h4>\n
Less Access to Treatment Options<\/h4>\n