According to the 2009 National Healthcare Disparities Report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), “American men with prostate cancer were 25 percent less likely to die from the disease in 2006 than they were in 1999.” “The rate at which American men died from prostate cancer declined from 31 deaths to 23.5 deaths per 100,000 males during the period.”[1]
While this is encouraging, it is important to remember that the data is retrospective from 2007. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), in 2010 “an estimated 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the US” and “approximately 32,050 men are expected to die from prostate cancer.”[2] Four years later as we move into 2011, there is still a lot of work to do.
According to AHRQ, the prostate cancer mortality rate dropped for all races except black men.[3] Further, ACS found that the lower the socio-economic standing of a black man, the more likely he is to die from prostate cancer.[4] One could assume that lower socio-economic standing means less access to health care and health education.
Therefore, the data presents further evidence that the patient advocacy community must continue its efforts to educate lower income men about prostate cancer and low cost health care access points. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, prostate cancer screenings are not required as mandatory minimum preventive care because of its grade by the U.S. Preventive Services Task (USPTF). Until the evidence compels the USPTF to adjust its grade for prostate cancer screening, advocates must continue to work with state legislatures to pass laws that ensure prostate cancer screening is required as minimum preventive care in insurance plans. Currently, 37 states require insurance plans to cover prostate cancer preventive screenings.
If you are involved in the black community please download and distribute this brochure to men and their families. It is a helpful guide to educate men about prostate cancer. Additionally, it is important to educate your community about the Welcome to Medicare Physical. The Welcome to Medicare Physical covers a Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA) for all men with Medicare age 50 and older for a 20% copayment. Men have one year from enrollment in Medicare to take advantage of this benefit so awareness and action are important.
Working together, advocates, families, and individuals will continue to fight to ensure all men have access to preventive prostate cancer screening.
[1] Prostate Cancer Deaths Drop, But Blacks Still Most Likely To Die. AHRQ News and Numbers, September 29, 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. https://www.ahrq.gov/news/nn/nn092910.htm
[2] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2010.
[3] Prostate Cancer Deaths Drop, But Blacks Still Most Likely To Die. AHRQ News and Numbers, September 29, 2010. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. https://www.ahrq.gov/news/nn/nn092910.htm
[4] American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2010. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2010.
I agree with the point that African-American men die from prostate cancer at higher rates than white men. Lack of education is the root of this problem. Race is the result of the problem, however the initial issue is the lack of education the African American community has. As mentioned, ACS states that the lower the socio-economic standing of a black man, the more likely he is to have prostate cancer. And, the result of low socio economic standing is, lack of availability to accurately informative materials. The availability of educational materials diverse men need to make informed decisions about prostate cancer screening, are in high demand. Along with the brochure above, this website provides additional information for the African American community.
http://www.psa-rising.com/med/african-am/