Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer compared to other ethnicities – but nearly four in five are not aware of their increased risk, a study has found.
A quarter of black men in the UK will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, figures have shown – while other men have just a one in eight chance of having the disease.
The risk also gets higher with age, with over-45s being deemed “high risk” – but more than half (56 per cent), of the 500 black males polled, were not aware of this.
And 53% did not realise that prostate cancer risk can be hereditary, with a family history of the illness putting them at greater risk of a diagnosis.
In fact, the research, by Prostate Cancer UK, found that 87 per cent underestimate the fatal impact of the disease – with 52 per cent of those polled admitting they would not bother a GP unless they were in pain, or showing signs of illness.
This is despite the fact that early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms – something that just 36 per cent of black men are aware of.
There are also concerns about being tested with 64% worried about having a rectal exam – despite a blood test being the best first step to test for the disease.
The research was commissioned by Prostate Cancer UK, as part of its “What on Earth is a prostate?!” campaign, which aims to dispel widespread misconceptions about the most common cancer in men.
It has also partnered with Dope Black Dads, a support group and podcast which works to challenge stereotypes about black fatherhood, and encourage a progressive, inclusive community of parents.
Chiara De Biase, a spokeswoman for the charity, said: “Men’s health can be a minefield. Everyone has gaps in their knowledge, and every one of us probably believes something that just isn’t true.
“Black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer compared to other men, and develop it at a younger age, and the concern is that misconceptions around prostate cancer symptoms and tests could stop men getting a potentially lifesaving diagnosis.
“Without a screening programme, men won’t be invited for testing, even when they’re at high risk. That’s why we strongly recommend that black men talk to their GP about a regular PSA blood test from the age of 45.
“Men can learn more about their risk, and what they can do about it, by taking the 30-second risk checker on our website – and we’re asking everyone to share it far and wide this Men’s Health Week and beyond.”
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found that nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) also believe they will be invited for a test by their GP – however, this is not the case, as there is no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.
And while two-thirds of those polled estimate 5,000 or fewer men die every year from the disease, this number is actually much higher – with 12,000 deaths in the UK alone.
British actor and Hollywood star, Colin MacFarlane, who played Commissioner Loeb in the Dark Knight trilogy, as well as Ulysses in the series Outlander, shared his diagnosis for the first time in support of the campaign.
Colin, 61, said: “In December 2022, nine months on from my brother’s prostate cancer diagnosis, I too was diagnosed.
“I was already aware of the risk to me, so had been having annual, and then six monthly, regular PSA blood tests with my GP.
“Thankfully, just over a year ago I had told my brother to get a PSA blood test, otherwise he wouldn’t have been diagnosed because he had no symptoms.
“I must put my diagnosis into context by saying I am one of the lucky ones. I have been able to catch this very early, which is key as I have no symptoms at all.
“As it’s a very slow-moving cancer I am in the best possible position to ascertain what treatment I would need in the future if that were ever deemed necessary, and currently that scenario is a long way off.
“It’s men who take no action, and don’t know anything about their prostate health, that are at the greatest risk.
“I want all men over 50, and Black men like me over 45, to be aware that they are at higher risk, and that they need to take personal responsibility, take action, and speak to their doctor about having a PSA blood test.
“Too many black men are dying of prostate cancer. They need to know that a simple blood test could save their life.”
