To help reduce health disparities related to prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Foundation has new screening guidelines for Black men in the United States.
Staci Vernick
Prostate Cancer Foundation
Did you know that 1 in 6 Black men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, versus 1 in 8 white men? Black men are also more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age, with more aggressive disease, and are more than twice as likely to die of prostate cancer.
Since its founding in 1993, the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has been working to reduce these disparities by funding research to understand the causes and by raising awareness about the importance of screening and early detection.
Key guidelines for screening
PCF brought together a panel of top experts in prostate cancer and racial disparities to establish a set of evidence-based guidelines for prostate cancer screening specifically for Black men. The expert panel recently published the following “Prostate Cancer Foundation Guideline Statements for Prostate Cancer Screening in Black Men in the United States” in the scientific journal NEJM Evidence. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test that should be considered first-line for prostate cancer screening.
- Decisions about PSA testing depend on individual preferences. Men should talk to their doctors to learn about the pros and cons of screening and share decision-making about screening.
- Since Black men are at high risk for prostate cancer, the benefits of screening generally outweigh the risks.
- For Black men who decide to screen, a first ”baseline” PSA test should be done between the ages of 40 and 45. Depending on the PSA value and the individual’s health status, annual PSA screening should be strongly considered.
- Black men with an even higher risk of prostate cancer due to strong family history should consider starting annual PSA screening as early as age 40.
- Black men over age 70 who have been undergoing prostate cancer screening should talk with their doctor about whether to continue PSA testing and make an informed decision based on their age, life expectancy, health status, family history, and prior PSA levels.
PCF’s Black Men: Know Your Risk campaign offers a wealth of educational resources that empower men to take charge of their health, including patient guides, video interviews with prostate cancer disparity experts, and free awareness kits designed to help Black men and those who love them understand their risk for the disease and the importance of screening and early detection. Knowledge is power. Visit pcf.org for more information.
