The UNC Men’s Health Program and Carolina Demography have launched an innovative web-based tool aimed at combating prostate cancer disparities in North Carolina. The interactive map, titled “Prostate Cancer Across North Carolina,” provides a county-by-county view of prostate cancer cases and deaths, highlighting alarming racial disparities.
According to the tool, Black men in North Carolina are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 2.3 times more likely to die from the disease compared to men of other races. Native American men face similar disparities. The tool also reveals geographical variances, with counties such as Anson, Edgecombe, and Halifax reporting the highest number of new cases.
“Many prostate cancer deaths, as well as other devastating events like heart attacks and strokes, can be prevented or avoided with early detection,” said Dr. Eric Wallen, director of the UNC Men’s Health Program and professor of urology at the UNC School of Medicine.
The UNC Men’s Health Program has been actively engaging communities through events like “Men, Know Your Numbers,” which focused on raising awareness and screening men for common health issues, particularly among Black men. The program is also collaborating with Carolina Demography to create a comprehensive “Men’s Health Report Card,” expected to be available in early 2024.
Dr. Nathan Dollar, director of Carolina Demography, emphasized the importance of providing North Carolinians with the data they need to make informed decisions, stating that the interactive map is a significant step forward in achieving this goal.
- See: “UNC launches innovative web tool to combat prostate cancer disparities in NC” on the UNC School of Public Health website (December 18, 2023)
- The map “Prostate Cancer Across North Carolina”
