Over 41,000 Black men in the U.S. will discover that they have prostate cancer this year. In fact, about one in six will receive a diagnosis of the disease at a certain point in their life. Meanwhile, it affects one in eight Caucasian men.
In terms of death rates, the differences are substantial. Black men are two times more prone of dying from the disease than other men. It’s one of the greater racial disproportions witnessed in cancer.
However, don’t let this scare you. BlackDoctor.Org is here to list eight life-saving facts every brother should know about prostate cancer.
1. Rectal Exams are Not Required With Prostate Cancer Screenings
Getting a prostate cancer screening does not necessarily mean you need a rectal exam. The purpose of the screening is to receive a blood test to figure out how much prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is found in your blood.
If your PSA is considered an abnormality, the next step is to do an MRI to help assess whether there are suspicious regions in the prostate that display cancer. An MRI is essential for determining whether to conduct a biopsy.
If you’re being recommended for surgery, a rectal exam might give you more direction on treatment options. The exam can point your doctors toward the location of the abnormal areas within the prostate.
RELATED: Prostate Cancer In Black Men: What We Need To Know
2. Earlier Detection Leads to More Treatment Alternatives
Prostate cancer is far easier to treat upon early detection, making screening imperative. The American Urological Association suggests that individuals with normal risk begin prostate cancer screenings once they turn 50.
BlackDoctor.Org recommends speaking with your doctor during your 40s to find out if a prostate cancer screening is necessary before reaching age 50 depending on your risk level.
The earlier you tackle the problem, the more decisions you’ll be granted. The longer you choose to wait and push it off, the slimmer those options become.
Treatment can differ based on the stage of diagnosis. Factors such as the severity of the cancer, your age, or other medical conditions are things to consider.
The goal is to work with your physician to be on the same page when it comes to picking a treatment, which sometimes requires
