Black men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and on average are far more impacted by the disease. Therefore, we must increase awareness about prostate cancer throughout the Black community – Getting a PSA blood test could save your life!
1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day in Canada. Black men of both African and Caribbean descent are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer compared to men of other ethnicities. They are also at greater risk of having fast growing prostate tumours, and dying from prostate cancer. However, many men in the Black community do not know that they are at higher risk of prostate cancer.
This is why promoting awareness and education about prostate cancer is so important (and empowering). Understanding your risk of prostate cancer can help you to be more proactive and detect it early, which increases the chances of treatment being successful.
How Can You be More Proactive?
The best way to be proactive is by knowing your risk of prostate cancer, the signs and symptoms, and speaking with your doctor. The earlier prostate cancer is found, the easier it is to treat it. When found early, almost 100% of men who have received a prostate cancer diagnosis will live for at least 5 years after their diagnosis.
It is difficult to know if you have prostate cancer as there are usually no signs and symptoms, especially in the early stages. This is why speaking with a healthcare professional and getting tested for prostate cancer is so important.
If you are under 40, learn about your risk of prostate cancer and look into your family’s history of prostate cancer.
If you are 40 or over, request that your doctor test you for prostate cancer. Although it can be scary, it is important to advocate for yourself so that you get the best care, especially if you feel like your medical needs are not being met.
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small organ under your bladder and next to your rectum. Its main role is to produce fluids in your semen, and to push the semen through your urethra when you ejaculate. It also plays a part in urinary function. As you age, the prostate tends to get larger, which is normal. However, it is still important to get your prostate checked to see if you have cancer. Finding prostate cancer early can be life-saving.
Testing for Prostate Cancer
The two types of tests for prostate cancer are the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and the digital rectal exam (DRE).
The PSA test measures the amount of PSA in the blood. PSA is an enzyme produced by the prostate. If a man has high PSA levels it may be a sign of prostate cancer, and would warrant more frequent testing in the future. Getting regular tests will allow you to know if there are substantial changes in your PSA levels, and may require your doctor to do more tests to confirm whether you or not you have prostate cancer.
The DRE test is a painless medical exam of the rectum to test for cancer, and only takes a few seconds. The doctor or nurse will put a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the size of the prostate, or if there are any lumps/other abnormalities.
Both of these tests are safe and effective, and are most accurate when done together. If the doctor finds that there is a problem, more testing will be done to confirm if you have prostate cancer or a different health problem.
If you believe you are at risk of prostate cancer, speak with your doctor about testing. If you know anyone in your community who might be at higher risk of prostate cancer, talk to them about their risk and what they can do to empower themselves.
How PC-PEP Can Help
Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can be a huge shock, and can spark a lot of anxiety in men who are diagnosed.
This why PC-PEP is a 6-month home-based health promotion program tailored to men who have received a prostate cancer diagnosis. It provides participants with key health and lifestyle information that can improve their outcomes after prostate cancer treatment, and their overall health. Most men who undergo prostate cancer treatment can feel lost and unsupported after their treatment, which is where our program comes in.
We give you the tools to heal to the best of your ability, access to our research team and study doctors if you have any questions, and the opportunity to talk with other men who have been diagnosed with prostate and have joined our program. We have had hundreds of men go through PC-PEP, many of whom stay connected to our program and community.
Check out our home page to learn more about the specific components of our program, and fill out our contact form if you want to talk to a member of our research team and learn more, or enrol in the program if you already have a prostate cancer diagnosis.
If you and your community would like to learn more about PC-PEP, please contact us and we will be happy to give a talk to raise awareness about prostate cancer within your community.
If you are a Black man looking for additional community support, we encourage you to explore The Walnut Foundation. This organization is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Black men, with a focus on prostate cancer awareness, education, and advocacy. The Walnut Foundation provides a safe space to share experiences, access culturally relevant health information, and connect with others who understand the unique challenges faced by Black men in navigating the healthcare system. To learn more, visit The Walnut Foundation’s website or reach out to their team for guidance and support.
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