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Posted on Sep 30, 2008, 7 a.m.
By Rich Hurd
Recent study results have shown that Black men living in England are three times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than their White peers. Furthermore, the average age of diagnosis among Black men is 5.1 years younger than it is among White men.
Recent study results have shown that Black men living in England are three times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than their White peers. Furthermore, the average age of diagnosis among Black men is 5.1 years younger than it is among White men.
Dr Chris Metcalfe and colleagues found that men of both races had a similar knowledge of prostate cancer and its symptoms, and they found no evidence to suggest that Black men had poorer access to diagnostic services. The authors concluded: “Differences in the run-up to diagnosis are modest and seem insufficient to explain the higher rate of prostate cancer diagnosis in Black men.”
The findings of this study support those of researchers in the US who have also reported a higher rate of prostate cancer in Black men. At present, there are very few known risk factors for prostate cancer, however it is beginning to look like being of Black race is a significant risk factor.
The researchers of the UK study say that their finding that Black men are typically diagnosed at a younger age than White men suggests that Black men are more biologically susceptible to the disease.
Metcalfe C, Evans S, Ibrahim1 F, Patel1 B, Anson K, Chinegwundoh F, Corbishley C, Gillatt D, Kirby R, Muir G, Nargund V, Popert R, Persad R, Ben-Shlomo Y, on behalf of the PROCESS study group. Pathways to diagnosis for Black men and White men found to have prostate cancer: the PROCESS cohort study. British Journal of Cancer. Advance online publication 16 September 2008; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6604670.
