Earlier Cancer Screening Supported for Black Men
In 1997, the American Cancer Society recommended early prostate cancer
screening for certain high-risk groups, including black men. Now, new
research indicates that since those recommendations were made, differences
between black and white men in prostate cancer detection have narrowed.
Based on initial blood levels of PSA, a prostate cancer marker, black
men are now being diagnosed at an earlier disease stage than they use
to be. This is good news because earlier diagnosis can mean earlier
treatment and, as a result, better outcomes. The findings, which are
reported in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology
Physics, are based on a study of 2332 men with prostate cancer who were
seen at a university hospital or its community affiliates between 1990
and 2001.
Of these patients, 1968 were white and 364 were black. From 1990 to
1996, the average initial PSA for black patients was 14.6, much higher
than the value of 10.5 for whites, lead author Dr. Charlie C. Pan and
colleagues, from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, report. In
the period after the ACS guidelines were published, the racial difference
in initial PSA, although still present, was less pronounced. This was
due to a 3.8-point fall in the initial PSA for blacks that outpaced
the 1.0 drop seen in whites.
During both time periods, blacks were diagnosed at a younger age than
whites. Over the study period, disease severity at the initial diagnosis
improved regardless of race, the authors note.
"The overall decline in initial PSA levels in both racial groups
is good news as it shows that patients have become more aware of the
disease and are coming to us when their cancer is most treatable,"
Pan said in a statement.
"The racial differences in initial PSA levels observed in the study
prove that African-American men are susceptible at an earlier age to
this disease and should continue to be screened at a younger age than
Caucasians, as recommended by the ACS," he added.
SOURCE: International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics,
December, 2003.
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