Prostate Cancer: Higher Incidence In Black Men Highlights Urgent Need For Increased Awareness And Support

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2020 prostate cancer accounted for 14.1% of all cancers diagnosed in men, with 1 414 259 reported new cases worldwide and 375 304 deaths in that year alone1.

While these statistics and the rising global incidence are startling, so too is the fact that the prevalence and severity of prostate cancer are notably higher among black men2.

As many as 1 in 6 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime compared to 1 in 8 white men3.  Available global data also indicates that black men have a 70% greater chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men and are twice as likely as white men to die from prostate cancer2. More concerning is that in South Africa, while prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men of all races, black African men generally present later with a more advanced stage and higher histological grade than their non-black counterparts.

A recent study done by the University of Free State showed that only 22% of the participants had ever heard of prostate cancer before being diagnosed with the disease. “We need to go above and beyond to make sure every South African man over 40 fully understands the importance and process of prostate cancer screening,” says Andrew Oberholzer, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. “Most South African men with prostate cancer already have advanced or locally advanced prostate cancer. At this stage, the cancer is no longer curable,” he says, adding that there is a dire need to raise awareness about the disease.

“All the data shows very clearly that if you pick up prostate cancer early, which requires screening, you have a 95% chance of being cured and will have a similar life expectancy to someone without the cancer”, says Professor Shingai Mutambirwa, Head of Department of Urology at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in Pretoria and a founding member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa (PCF). Prostate cancer survival rates are not as high when the cancer has metastasized, or spread beyond the prostate4. “A PSA blood test at your health care practitioner can take a couple of seconds and can potentially save your life,” he says.

A PSA or Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test is used to screen for prostate cancer. The prostate gland makes a protein called protein-specific antigen (PSA), with high PSA levels indicating the possible presence of cancer4.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa, all men over the age of 45 need to be screened annually, with higher risk groups including black men and men who have a family history of prostate and/or breast cancer in a first-degree relative needing to get screened annually from the age of 40.

“Events like the Hollard Daredevil Run are critical as they generate much needed educational opportunities on a national level for men and boys to talk about prostate and testicular cancers,” says Oberholzer.

The annual Hollard Daredevil Run sees men and boys running 5km dressed only in a purple speedo and takkies, to raise awareness about prostate and testicular cancers. All proceeds go to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa to fund testing in under-resourced areas and increase awareness, support and research.