New guidelines are recommending that Black men begin prostate cancer screening as early as age 40, aiming to address stark racial disparities in diagnosis and mortality rates.
The guidelines, developed by a panel of experts and presented at a recent cancer symposium, come in response to alarming statistics showing Black men are up to 110% more likely to develop prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from it compared to white men.
“Early detection of prostate cancer is one of several factors that the panel believes could reduce prostate cancer morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population,” said Dr. Isla Garraway of UCLA, who presented the guidelines.
The recommendations advise baseline PSA testing between ages 40-45 for Black men, significantly earlier than current general guidelines suggesting discussions about screening begin at 55.
Experts point to various potential factors behind the disparity, including genetics, environmental exposures, and stress impacts on overall health.
“These guidelines were specifically formulated to provide practical recommendations for Black men as they consider their individual risk of prostate cancer,” Garraway said.
The panel also emphasized shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers regarding screening.
For Black men with strong family histories, annual screening beginning at 40 is recommended. Those over 70 should discuss whether to continue screening based on individual factors.
By lowering the recommended age to begin screening discussions, experts hope to detect prostate cancers earlier in Black men, potentially improving outcomes and saving lives in this disproportionately affected population.
See “Prostate cancer screenings encouraged for Black men as early as 40” (April 24, 2024)
