Prostate cancer in the African Caribbean community
African Caribbean men have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer
African Caribbean men in the UK have approximately three times greater risk of developing prostate cancer than white men. i iii |
However, the greatest risk factor for developing prostate cancer remains age. |
They also present with prostate cancer approximately five years earlier than white men; with an average age of 67.9 years compared to 73.3 years. However age remains the greatest risk factor for developing prostate cancer in all groups, including African Caribbean men.
Despite being diagnosed at an earlier age, current evidence indicates that African Caribbean men in the UK present at a similar stage of prostate cancer to white men, although there are indications that PSA levels may be higher at diagnosis in African Caribbean men. iv
Why is there an increased risk?
The reason for the heightened risk of prostate cancer in African Caribbean men is not known. There are many possible theories although, to date, research has been unable to draw any definite conclusions.
The increased incidence of prostate cancer seen in African Caribbean men in the UK and the US can be seen in men in the Caribbean and possibly also in West Africa. v This enables the increased incidence of prostate cancer to be followed along the path of the transatlantic slave trade.
The higher risk among populations with a shared ancestry may suggest either a genetic predisposition/susceptibility to developing prostate cancer or it may suggest an effect of shared cultural and lifestyle factors, such as diet.
More research is needed to confirm the existing theories and investigate this area more extensively.
High risk - low awareness
Despite their increased risk, African Caribbean men are less aware of prostate cancer and the signs and symptoms than white men.vi |
In a recent UK study only 37% of African Caribbean men had heard of prostate cancer compared to 64% of white men |
Worryingly, only a small proportion (15%vii ) of African Caribbean men know that they are at a greater risk of prostate cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is committed to increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the heightened risk among African Caribbean men and women.
One of the Charity’s five strategic goals is that by 2020 all African Caribbean men and women will know more about prostate cancer and will act on that knowledge. viii To achieve this, the Charity has developed a number of projects.
References used in the production of this page
i Yoav Ben-Shlomo et al. The risk of prostate cancer amongst Black men in the United Kingdom: The PROCESS cohort study. European Urology 2008; 53 99-105
iii Frank Chinegwundoh et al. Risk and presenting features of prostate cancer amongst African-Caribbean, South Asian and European men in North-east London. BJU International 2006; 98, 1216-1220
iv C Metcalfe, S Evans, F Ibrahim et al. Pathways to diagnosis for Black men and White men found to have prostate cancer: the PROCESS cohort study. British Journal of Cancer 2008, 99; 1040-1045
v Folakemi T Odedina, Titilola O Akinremi, Frank Chinegwundoh et al. Prostate cancer disparities in Black man of African descent: a comparative literature review of prostate cancer burden among Black men in the United States, Caribbean, United Kingdom and West Africa. Infections Agents and Cancer. 4(Suppl 1) epub Feb 2009.
vi Rabjabu K et al, Racial origin is associated with poor awareness of prostate cancer in UK men, but can be increased by simple information, Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases 2007; 10, 256-260
vii Ethnibus research for The Prostate Cancer Charity, February 2008
viii The Prostate Cancer Charity. Transforming the future for prostate cancer: The Prostate Cancer Charity’s 2020 goals and 2008-2014 strategy. The Prostate Cancer Charity, 2008.