MedicalPike archives 1997 -
African-American Prostate Cancer Crisis
"Disgraceful Tragedy"
New York, January 15 1998. African-American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world and the lowest rate of survival. The head of the American Cancer Society (ACS), Charles J. McDonald, MD, says: "Black men in America are 1.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer and are 2 to 3 times more likely to die of the disease than white men."
Prostate cancer, particularly among African Americans, is "a disgraceful tragedy that needs immediate and drastic action," says John R. Kelly, a board director of the American Cancer Society. The ACS has issued a National Blueprint for Action on prostate cancer, promising to spend $8 to $10 million annually. The following chart shows the gap widening between African American men and all other US men.
American Cancer Society Plan
The ACS blueprint calls for more research on every aspect of prostate cancer especially in African-American men. They plan to study causes and risk factors and stimulate prevention and new treatments.
ACS say they want to "involve African Americans in research design, in the implementation of clinical research, in the development of education initiatives, and as patient participants in clinical research trials."ACS urges more education about prostate cancer and stronger "grassroots organizations, particularly in the African-American community, to engage in advocacy and in education and patient support initiatives." They call for more community support for African American prostate cancer patients and their families.
Spending Will Benefit All Patients
Because African American men are over-affected by prostate cancer, the call for action is primarily addressed to them. The spending is expected to improve treatment for all men who have prostate cancer.
Detection is the first step, the ACS says. All men aged 40 and up need their physicians to check for prostate cancer with a digital rectal examination (DRE) every year. African American men and all men with a family history of prostate cancer should also get an annual PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. Other men can wait till age 50 for the annual PSA test.Because African American men are over-affected by prostate cancer, the call for action is primarily addressed to them. The spending is expected to improve treatment for all men who have prostate cancer.
Detection is the first step, the ACS says. All men aged 40 and up need their physicians to check for prostate cancer with a digital rectal examination (DRE) every year, ACS says. African American men and all men with a family history of prostate cancer should also get an annual PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. Other men can wait till age 50 for the annual PSA test.
Sources
American Cancer Society Action Proposal on Prostate Cancer in African Americans (press release Jan 13, 1998)
Annals of Internal Medicine (1997;127:813-816).
Late Diagnosis. Poor Care Factors in African American Prostate Cancer Disaster
Prostate Cancer Planner Never Takes PSA Test -- Compares Prostate Screening to Tuskegee Experiment February 2000January 15, 1998. Page style modified November 1, 2009.
PROSTATE BASICS
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