The month of September was set aside to raise the awareness on prostate cancer.
The President of the nonprofit Community Projects, Inc., Kwesi Neblett, who is also the creator of the #BlackProstateCancerCheckChallenge, in a statement, said, “Together, we can continue to raise the awareness, foster dialogue, and drive positive change in the realm of prostate cancer awareness and treatment for Black men.”
Neblett stressed the need for policy extensions to include holistic integrative therapy.
Here are the 7 Myths Dispelled by #BlackProstateCancerCheckChallenge:
1. “Black men get prostate cancer just like every other race.”
No. According to the American Cancer Society, the prevalence of prostate cancer is greater in Black males, affecting one out of every six, compared to one out of every eight white men. Black men also experience a greater mortality rate from prostate cancer, which is twice as high as that of white men. White men have historically enjoyed the privilege of receiving advanced cancer treatments, which accounts for the difference in mortality rates. Recent Johns Hopkins studies found African Americans have a unique inflammatory response as well as previously undiscovered genetic variants that increase the risk of prostate cancer in men of African ancestry.
2. “I don’t have prostate cancer if I have any symptoms.”
No. Black men are being diagnosed in later stages and with more specific aggressive prostate cancer. Sexual partners are encouraged to help notice symptoms because Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in much later stages than white men. If a Black man has a grandfather or father who has prostate cancer, they should be getting a DRE exam by age 35-38.
3. “Every hospital has the same standard radiation equipment.”
No. You should ask what year your radiation machine was built. Black men in lower-income hospital networks are typically treated with older, lower energy radiation machines. Patients have the right to ask about equipment and stay on top of their imaging and their PSA test results.
4. “There is one best way to treat prostate cancer.”
No, a patient and a doctor should have “shared decision-making.” You should have an open, trusted relationship to decide the route that’s the best individualized for you based on your genetics, health history, age, stage, and lifestyle.
5. “Every male should get screening as soon as possible.”
No. Black men have the highest false-positive results. There have not been enough Black men studied in clinical trials to support that early screening prevents prostate cancer.
6. “Prayer and spirituality can’t help cancer.” Cancer can help patients to focus on what truly matters, and prompt us to live with a heightened consciousness of our ultimate priorities.
The current data suggests that added stress or trauma can contribute to more aggressive cancer.
7. “Cancer care is completely covered by Medicare.”
No. The average cost of Stage 4 prostate cancer is more than $93,000 annually, according to the National Institute of Health. The Medicare for All Act has not been passed. Families rely on grants and fundraisers.
In Africa, many people are not covered by any health insurance, thereby paying out-of-pocket when they have healthcare challenges.
A public health physician and one of the #BlackProstateCancerCheckChallenge panelist, Dr. Lisa Cooper, noted, “Health disparities are everyone’s problem. Many factors contributing to inequality in America stem from a history of unequal opportunities and unjust treatment for people in vulnerable communities.”
She continued, “Everyone is affected by the factors that harm the health of the most disadvantaged individuals, not just those individuals themselves.”
