Disease Now Accounts for 42 Percent of New Prostate Cancer Cases among Black Men
Prostate cancer continues to increase its death grip on African American men as about 1,000 black men are expected to die this year from the disease.
The new numbers from the American Cancer Society's 2005-06 Facts and Figures for African Americans show that the mortality rate of African Americans with prostate cancer versus Caucasians has increased from 2:1 to 2.4:1, the highest ratio ever tracked for the disease.
Prostate Cancer Treatment and Symptoms
The devastating statistics come right before National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 17-23.
Research has shown a number of factors that start to explain why African Americans are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. It's widely believed African Americans metabolize testosterone in the prostate differently from white men " increasing the growth rate of the tumor or cancer cells. Other studies involving African American men point to diet and cholesterol as contributing factors - suggesting obese men or those with high cholesterol have rapidly growing tumors if prostate cancer occurs.
A new study conducted on the disparity comes from the University of Cincinnati where researchers pointed to a mutated gene in Africans that protect them from malaria. The gene may encourage cancer tumor growth.
The best way to avoid death from prostate cancer is annual screening. The facts are clear: if cancer is caught early while still confined to the prostate, survival is 99.3 percent.
African American and others with a family history should begin annual testing at 40.
"Unfortunately, only about half of all African American men 50 and older have ever been tested for prostate cancer," said National Prostate Cancer Coalition CEO Richard N. Atkins, M.D. "And far less men are tested annually. It's a shame because countless lives can be saved with a 10 minute test."
The National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) sets the standard for rapidly reducing the burden of prostate cancer on American men and their families through outreach, awareness and advocacy. The NPCC is teaming up with the Church of God and Christ to bring free screenings and education to its annual conference next month. For more information, log onto www.pcacoalition.org
___________________
WASHINGTON, D.C. " 1154 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 202-463-9455 Fax: 202-463-9456 www.pcacoalition.org