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The Unites States has the highest
incidence of prostate cancer in world; over 230,000
men are diagnosed each year. African-American men have
the highest incidence rate as well as the highest mortality
rates associated with prostate cancer, followed consecutively
by Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders,
then American Indians and Alaska Natives.
African-American Men and
Prostate Cancer
Black American men have the highest risk of prostate
cancer in the United States. They also have the highest
risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer and also
have the highest prostate cancer mortality rates.
There are two predominant theories
as to why African-American men have a higher risk of
prostate cancer: genetics and healthcare access. Some
doctors believe that genetics play an important role;
others believe that limited access to quality healthcare
is to blame. A third theory exists: some doctors believe
that a traditional diet which is high in saturated fat
causes the higher prostate cancer risk. However, the
diets of many Americans, regardless of race, have higher
levels of fat than the diets of men of any other nationality.
Click to here to read more about prostate cancer risk
in the United States.
The most widely-accepted theory
of the black men’s higher prostate cancer incidence
and mortality rate melds the first and second theories.
Genetics (due to melanin levels in the skin) may predispose
African-American men, while limited access to quality
healthcare does not catch the disease in earlier stages
and does not get these men the best possible treatment.
What Do African-American
Genes have to do with Prostate Cancer?
One of the most widely accepted theories is that black
men living in North America do not get the exposure
to ultraviolet (UV) light sufficient for the synthesis
of Vitamin D. Adequate levels of Vitamin D seem to have
a protective effect against cancer. Since Vitamin D
production is somewhat inhibited through higher levels
of melanin, black men living in equatorial areas of
limited sunlight (such as in the north) may not produce
sufficient Vitamin D.
What about Healthcare Quality
and Prostate Cancer?
Many doctors also feel that the higher mortality rates
associated with prostate cancer in black men, however,
are related to unequal access to adequate healthcare.
Whether its from healthcare insurance that does not
cover the newest treatments, complete lack of health
insurance, neglecting proper diagnostic testing or regular
medical checkups, or another factor, more black men
die from prostate cancer. African-American men, regardless
of family history, should begin PSA testing at the age
of forty.
What About the Groups with
Lower Prostate Cancer Risk?
After black men, white men living in America have the
next highest risk. Some European ethnic groups, such
as Greeks and Italians, have lower risks of prostate
cancer until the second or third American-born generations.
The increase is most commonly attributed to the adoption
of American-style diets which focus on meat and saturated
fats rather than vegetables, whole grains, and olive
oil.
Asian ethnic groups, particularly
the Japanese, have extremely low prostate cancer rates.
Asian countries, which have typically been low risk
countries, however, are increasing in incidence rates.
Some researchers attribute the elevated national risks
to the rising levels of obesity due to the increased
consumption of fatty foods and red meat.
While race may have a strong predisposing
or protective factor, many researchers believe that
diet also plays an equally, if not, more, important
role.
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