The stark reality of prostate cancer is that one in six American men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. If caught early, it is a highly treatable cancer, but when left to metastasize, only 30% of patients will survive. The occurrence of prostate cancer is significantly higher among African Americans — in fact 60% higher than any other group in the US. Father’s Day has also become a day of awareness for prostate cancer, and efforts to educate men on the matter are underway.
Because of their increased risk, African American men are urged to began prostate screenings at age 45 rather than the 50 year mark that is recommended to men of other races. New studies are doubting whether screenings actually do more harm than good, though. Prostate cancer is slow to progress, and sometimes screening and then treating the disease can have more negative effects than the cancer itself. Regardless, it is a decision that should be made between a patient and physician. Entirely disregarding the threat of prostate cancer could be a fatal mistake.
