Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States, according to the CDC, affecting 1 in 8 men.
The data around prostate cancer is even more alarming for Black men, with 1 in 6 facing this diagnosis. While these numbers are important to acknowledge, we must remember that they represent real lives, families, and communities impacted by a disease that can often be detected early and treated effectively, with a 97.1% five-year relative survival rate when caught early.
The link to BPH
A staggering 83% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. BPH is common, especially as men age, yet its connection to prostate cancer is often overlooked. This should serve as an opportunity to encourage men to adopt positive, preventative health behaviors that could potentially save their lives.
BPH is not cancer, but its high prevalence among those diagnosed with prostate cancer highlights the need for increased awareness and vigilance. While the relationship between BPH and prostate cancer is still being studied, current evidence suggests that men with BPH should be particularly diligent about their prostate health.
Health equity and education
Education through trusted resources about the prostate and its functions is crucial to combat the lack of knowledge around prostate health. Too often, men are unaware of what a prostate is until they are diagnosed with prostate cancer. Along with education, regular screenings — like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test — are crucial for detecting prostate cancer early, when it’s most treatable. Unfortunately, many men — especially those from historically excluded communities — do not receive these screenings or access these resources regularly, if at all.
Health equity plays a crucial role in determining who gets screened, who gets diagnosed, and who survives prostate cancer. The disparity in prostate cancer rates among Black men compared to other races is a stark reminder of the inequities in our healthcare system. Black men are less likely to receive routine screenings and more likely to be diagnosed at later stages, making treatment more difficult. This is a public health crisis that demands our urgent attention.
With trusted resources, proper screening, and early intervention, many cases can be detected and treated successfully. This approach requires a commitment to health equity, ensuring that everyone with a prostate, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, has access to necessary information, screenings, and care.
Normalizing proactive healthcare
Men’s health behaviors and attitudes towards healthcare are critical in the fight against prostate cancer. Many men avoid regular doctor visits and screenings for various reasons, including fear, stigma, or misinformation. This avoidance can have deadly consequences, especially with diseases like prostate cancer, where early detection is key.
As a society, we must encourage people with a prostate to take charge of their health by normalizing regular check-ups and screenings. The importance of early detection cannot be overstated — prostate cancer caught early is far more manageable and treatable, leading to much better outcomes.
Now is the time for men to take control of their health. If you experience symptoms of BPH, don’t ignore them. Speak to your trusted medical provider about prostate cancer screenings and take proactive steps to protect your health. Healthcare providers must also ensure that their patients, especially those in communities facing barriers to care, understand the importance of these screenings and have access to them.
We cannot afford complacency in the face of prostate cancer. The stakes are too high to ignore. This is a call to action — for men to prioritize their health, for healthcare providers to advocate for their patients, and for our communities to address the health inequities that contribute to these disparities. Together, we can and must make a difference in the fight against prostate cancer.
