Sep 4, 2008 6:10 pm US/Eastern
Prostate Cancer Affects More African-American Men
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Hoffman Brown had prostate cancer.
CBS
Improving the detection of prostate cancer is valuable information. Every man age 40 and over should know about prostate cancer.
When it comes to developing prostate cancer, African-American men are among the most vulnerable.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn explains why it's so important for African-American men to be screened early and often.
Although doctors can't fully explain why African-Americans have a higher risk of the disease, they do know that screenings save lives.
As a husband, father and pastor, Hoffman Brown has faced numerous challenges. Four months ago, after a medical visit, his health moved to the forefront.
"My doctor had me come back because he had concern my PSA registered higher than they normally did," said Brown, cancer patient.
Subsequent tests confirmed what doctors suspected--Hoffman had prostate cancer.
More than 186,000 are diagnosed and 28,000 die from the disease, but African-Americans are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer and are more likely to die from it.
"Often access to medical care plays a role in this and African-American men may not be getting screenings with the same frequency as someone who is more economically fortunate," said Dr. Stephen Cohen from Chesapeake Urology.
For African-American men and those with a strong family history of the disease, the American Cancer Society recommends screenings begin at the age of 45, with a yearly PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam.
Other healthy men should start to have yearly screenings at the age of 50.
Cancer tends to begin in the periphery in the outside part of the prostate gland.
Hoffman's screenings helped doctors find his cancer early, while there's still hope for a cure.
Doctors often say the test does not diminish a man's masculinity. It's the only way for them to find out if there's a problem.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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