Prostate Cancer Prevention & Treatment
Summary
- Prostate cancer risk in African-American men is driven by environment and chronic disease patterns, not race. Research has found no genetic defect tied to Black identity. Instead, diet, stress, limited access to screening, and untreated conditions like hypertension and diabetes play major roles.
- PSA testing is the most reliable early-detection tool—and Black men need it earlier. The digital rectal exam is outdated as a primary screen. PSA catches nearly all prostate cancers, and men with a family history should start as early as their mid-30s.
- Early treatment options—surgery or targeted radiation—are equally effective, but quality of life depends on skilled care. Modern techniques spare nerves, reduce incontinence, and preserve sexual function far better than in the past. Lifestyle changes (weight, exercise, nutrition, vitamin D) remain essential for long-term prevention.
