Black men are at far higher risk of dying from prostate cancer because of outdated NHS guidelines, a charity has warned.
National charity Prostate Cancer UK is calling on the NHS to update GP guidance and ensure that those of a higher risk of prostate cancer are proactively offered screening.
Afro-Caribbean men have a higher risk of prostate cancer than any other population of men in the world, and new data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit found that black men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer when it has reached stage 3 and 4 – when it has already spread.
Diagnosis at this stage severely hinders survival chances, meaning black men are twice as likely to die from the disease.
Under current NHS guidelines, all men are treated the same – regardless of their risk factor for prostate cancer. Currently, the responsibility is left to men to find out and assess their risk of prostate cancer and decide whether to request a blood test.
Experts now believe that there’s sufficient evidence that men with a higher risk of prostate cancer, such as black men, should be proactively offered cancer screening using PSA blood tests.
Another factor that increases the risk of prostate cancer is having a history of the disease in your family. Guidelines currently suggest that men should get tested from aged 55, but if you think that you fall into any of the high-risk categories described above then you should ask your GP for a PSA blood test from the age of 45.
Anyone with a prostate over the age of 50 can request a PSA test, regardless of whether you’re in a high risk group or not.
You can read more about the PSA test here.
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
