One out of every five black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime, and five out of 100 will die from it. Black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one that is more aggressive and more advanced than men of other ethnicities. They are also more likely to develop the disease at a younger age than other men. To bring attention to this alarming phenomenon, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution on July 26, 2012 recognizing that prostate cancer among African American men is at epidemic proportions. President Obama then issued a proclamation designating September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
There are no clear cut answers yet as to why black men are more apt to get the disease, but recent research suggests higher rates of vitamin D deficiency among blacks, and genetic differences when compared to whites and ancestry. Researchers found a higher prevalence of prostate cancer among men of West African descent. Another puzzling aspect of this disease in black men is that they suffer from more complications following treatment than other groups.
Until recently, a blood test, commonly known as PSA was the way to determine the presence of prostate cancer. Currently, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against routine PSA screening because it leads to false positives and unwarranted testing of healthy men. It continues to advise however, that black men should still discuss the need for a PSA test with their doctors.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at high risk, African-Americans, and men who have a father, brother, or son diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, to talk with their doctors about testing at around age 45. However, men at high risk — those with multiple family members affected by the disease before age 65 — should start at age 40.
As with all cancers, prevention is the best tactic to fight the disease, and a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, tomatoes, and pomegranate juice are considered super foods that many believe can prevent and slow down the progression of the disease for men of all races. Regular exercise and an annual digital rectal exam from the doctor are also important, but most importantly, stay abreast of the latest developments in prostate cancer research and treatment methods because the life you save could be your own, or that of a loved one.