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While all men are at risk for developing prostate cancer as they age, ethnicity does tend to elevate risks.
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What Black Men Need to Know About Prostate Cancer A surefire way to make any man just a little squeamish is to bring up the words prostate and cancer in a conversation. Doing so, however, can be critical for all men as they age. For black men, discussing this topic and facing it head on can be even more important. While all men are at risk for developing prostate cancer as they age, ethnicity does tend to elevate risks. Black men, in fact, are estimated to face twice the risk their Caucasian counterparts do for this disease that strikes more than 160,000 American men each year. While early detection protocols and highly effective treatments have lowered the mortality numbers to an estimated 26,000 a year, the fact remains this disease can be deadly. The fact also remains that prostate cancer is much more likely to strike a black male, especially in middle age and just beyond.
Here are some things all men need to know about prostate cancer and the importance for screening: Routine testing can and does save lives – Simple blood tests and other routine screens can help detect this disease in its earliest, most treatable stages. That reality is one of the reasons why the survival rate for prostate cancer is so promising. Not all prostate cancers have to be treated – In many cases, prostate cancer is deemed low-risk and relatively slow growing. That means active surveillance may be an option for treatment. Treatments are highly effective if needed – The treatments for prostate cancer have come a very long way in recent years. Men will find surgery, radiation and proton therapy all offer them a path to positive outcomes if intervention is necessary. While all men are urged to talk to their doctors about their risks for prostate cancer, this conversation can be especially important for black males. When this disease is detected early, outcomes can be very positive. The best bet for all men is to put squeamish feelings aside and have a frank, open talk with their doctors and create a plan to safeguard against this potentially life-threatening condition.
