Prostate Cancer impact on minority communities

Prostate Cancer Impact on Minority Communities

Awareness
About 42% of all cancers diagnosed in African-American men are cancers of the prostate. National statistics reflect that African-American men are 60% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer then Caucasian men. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in African American men. African American men have the highest mortality rate of any ethnic and racial group in the US and the world. The death rate from prostate cancer is 2.4 times higher for African American men then Caucasian men. In some parts of North Carolina, the death rate for black men from prostate cancer is more then three times that of white men.

African American men are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of cancer. Experts speculate that this may be due to factors such access to information and screening services. Later stage detection contributes to lower cure rates and shorter survival.

With early detection, prostate cancer is potentially curable and the 5-year survival rate is as much as 100%. Additionally, early detection allows for less damaging treatment options. This percentage drops to around 30%, and is considered incurable, when the cancer is diagnosed at a later stage.

The most common symptom of prostate cancer is NO SYMPTOM AT ALL! Early detection is critical.

*ACS, Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2005-2006

Click here for more information about prostate cancer awareness, details about what prostate cancer is, risk factors, prevention and statistics.

Early Detection
According to Dr. Judd W. Moul, MD, FACS, Head of Urology at Duke University Medical Center and former Director of the Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR), a Uniformed Services University and Department of Defense program in Rockville, MD, Prostate Cancer is a particular concern for African-American men because their is a higher risk of developing prostate cancer at an earlier age than white men.

It was thought that African-American men were prone to develop a more biologically aggressive cancer than white men. "Our data do not support that theory," he says. "With earlier detection, African-American men and white men have basically the same outcome."

Some groups, such as the National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions (NASPCC), suggest that African-American men begin screening annually for prostate cancer at age 35.
North Carolina’s leading Urologists suggest that African-American men begin annual screening at age 40.
A full prostate screening includes both a PSA blood test and a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).
Comparing your PSA results from year to year is key to early detection. Your PSA should not raise more then 20% per year or .75 ng/ml.
Age and race adjusting is another valuable tool for identifying men who are more likely to have prostate cancer.

Click here for more information about early detection, prostate screening, the PSA blood test, and the digital rectal exam.

Other important information: NC insurance statutes require all policies issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 1994 cover prostate screening. A number of regional facilities offer low or no cost prostate screenings via annual prostate screening events. Click here for a list of facilities known to offer these events to the community. North Carolina's leading Urologists work with PCCNC to endorse annual "Best Practices" guidelines for prostate screening that apply advances in the use of the PSA blood test for the early detection of prostate cancer.

"Best Practices" Care
Just as important as finding cancer early is understanding how aggressive the cancer is. Every individual is different. Some have slow-growing, and never need treatment; others must be dealt with immediately or they can be fatal within a matter of months. Some men can afford to "watch and wait" while others must deal immediately with an aggressive cancer that will almost certainly be lethal if not treated immediately. African-American men are more likely to have an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer patients should develop a complete understanding by discussing with their doctor their clinical stage and Gleason’s Score. There are several patient hotlines that are good sources of information when making a treatment decision.

These numbers include:

The ProstateNet: (888)477-6763
UsToo! International: (800)808-7866

Each patient should develop a thorough understanding of his diagnosis and “best practices” treatment for his individual circumstances. Second opinions with several medical professionals, consultation with a Urologist and a Radiation Oncologist and discussions with other patients / survivors can be critical. For a comprehensive list of patient recommended resources, visit www.pccnc.org and click on Patient Information.