Prostate Cancer Awareness Month


Understanding disparities and the importance of early screening

This September, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on the second most common cancer to affect men.1

This year, more than 288,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.1 The risk is even higher for Black men, with one in six men developing the disease.2 The good news is that prostate cancer can be treated successfully, especially when caught early.2

Racial Disparities in Diagnosis & Treatment

The patient advocacy group ZERO Prostate Cancer reports that a new prostate cancer diagnosis occurs every 13 minutes in the Black community.2 Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than White men.2

Testing rates are lower for Black men,2 as societal, lifestyle and environmental risks are higher.3 In addition to race, risks include age, poor nutrition and family incidence of prostate cancer.4 However, many Black men face longer delays between diagnosis and treatment, potentially due to mistrust in the healthcare system, lack of information on prostate cancer and social stigmas associated with the disease.5

The Importance of Testing & Checkups

The symptoms of early-stage prostate cancer are not always obvious.6 It’s important to be aware of your body and know what’s normal for you and when a doctor’s visit might be in order.6

Take Frank, for example. He’s a 47-year-old Black man from the Midwest who experienced sharp abdominal pain, weight loss and frequent urination. “It got to where I was constantly going to the bathroom and urinating more than the normal person would,” he says.

Frank knew there was a history of prostate cancer in his family. His relatives were not proactive about their health and, when they finally received a diagnosis, were at a later stage of disease.

Concerned by his symptoms, Frank made an appointment with his primary care provider, who referred him to a urologist. He was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer, the earliest stage prostate cancer can be detected and when it is the most treatable. “At first, I was scared,” Frank admits. “I looked to my family for support. They wanted me to do whatever I needed to, whatever the doctor ordered.”

Because his cancer was detected early, Frank’s prognosis is good. He consults with his urologist regularly to ensure the cancer isn’t growing. “I want to avoid surgery, if I can,” he says.

Screening for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer may have very few to no symptoms in the early stages, making regular testing and screening important.6 As a result of increased rates of early detection, the prostate cancer death rate declined by about half from 1993 to 2013.1

According to national guidelines, screenings for prostate cancer should begin at age 45 for those with average risk.7 Black men and any man with a family history of prostate cancer or germline BRCA1/2 mutations should be tested sooner, at age 40.7 Depending on your status, different types of screening tests may be recommended.8 These tests include:

  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing — PSA testing looks for a specific protein in blood and measures that protein in nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). The lower the PSA level, the better. PSA levels above 10 ng/ml indicate a 50/50 chance of prostate cancer8
  • Digital rectal exam (DRE) — Many men are familiar with this manual test during which the doctor feels for any lumps or bumps on the prostate gland. A DRE can be effective in finding cancerous growths, especially when performed in conjunction with PSA testing8
  • BRCA testing — Genetic testing for BRCA gene mutations is recommended for men with increased risk, as well as those who have already been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. A saliva or blood test can detect BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. A positive test can help determine your risk of developing prostate cancer or drive treatment decisions if you have already been diagnosed9
  • Biomarker testing — Biomarker testing examines prostate tumors (via a tissue sample or liquid biopsy) to uncover any DNA mutations. Testing can improve treatment options through a better understanding of how cancer cells grow and die10

A Supportive Community

Frank’s family history of prostate cancer made him alert to changes in his body and prepared him to act. He wanted to be the one who did something about his health. “I try not to let it overwhelm me or make me feel like it’s the end of the world,” he says.

In addition to his friends, family and trusted healthcare team, Frank found encouragement and inspiration from other prostate cancer patients and survivors. He feels it is his turn to be a “beacon of hope” for others. His advice to anyone on a prostate cancer journey is simple: “Don’t let this problem dictate you or make you feel like less of a person.”

Our Commitment to Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity for men to learn about health risks and disparities and become their own best advocates for cancer prevention.

Early detection makes the difference in a prostate cancer diagnosis.2 The survival rate for advanced prostate cancer is only 32% at five years, compared to a five-year survival rate of 99% for men who found and treated their cancer at the earliest stage.11

AstraZeneca is committed to improving the lives of men with prostate cancer. From DNA-targeting therapies to patient and family education, we strive to break down the barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

Beyond Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we encourage you to talk to your doctor about getting checked for prostate cancer — taking your family history, risk factors and possible early symptoms into consideration.

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References

1.       American Cancer Society. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed September 2023.

2.       ZERO Cancer. Black Men and Prostate Cancer. Available at https://zerocancer.org/black-men. Accessed September 2023.

3.       Lowder D, Rizwan K, McColl C, et al. Racial disparities in prostate cancer: A complex interplay between socioeconomic inequities and genomics. Cancer Lett. 2022;531:71-82.

4.       Johns Hopkins Medicine. Prostate Cancer. Available at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prevention. Accessed September 2023.

5.       Lillard JW Jr, Moses KA, Mahal BA, George DJ. Racial disparities in Black men with prostate cancer: A literature review. Cancer. 2022;128(21):3787-3795.

6.       American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html. Accessed September 2023.

7.       National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines for Prostate Cancer Early Detection. Available at https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-process/transparency-process-and-recommendations/GetFileFromFileManagerGuid?FileManagerGuidId=ac267f1c-f068-43ec-adf2-1d4065f8d11b. Accessed September 2023.  

8.       American Cancer Society. Screening Tests for Prostate Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/tests.html. Accessed September 2023.

9.       National Cancer Institute. BRCA Gene Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing. Available at https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet. Accessed September 2023.

10.   ZERO Cancer. Biomarkers & Genomic Testing. Available at https://zerocancer.org/stages-and-grades/biomarkers-genomic-testing. Accessed September 2023.

11.   American Cancer Society. Survival Rates for Prostate Cancer. Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html. Accessed September 2023.