Vasectomy.<\/strong> This is an operation to make you infertile. It may add to your risk of getting prostate cancer, according to the ACS. But the research remains unclear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n4. Get the care you deserve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nRacial bias at the doctor\u2019s office, hospital, or anywhere else in the healthcare system can be frustrating, to say the least. And for some, it prevents them from getting the proper care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, researchers at Georgia Tech\u2019s School of Economics found that Black men were at least 23.6% less likely than white men to get an MRI follow-up to a PSA test. (The study didn\u2019t determine whether doctors did not refer Black patients for MRIs. It also didn\u2019t find out if the patients chose not to have further testing.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s vital that Black men take an active role in their health. Some ways to make that happen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Make sure to choose a doctor you trust. You want to feel comfortable talking about personal matters.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Take your doctor\u2019s advice if they suggest that you get screened for prostate cancer. Don\u2019t forget to schedule follow-up visits.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Be vigilant<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBecause prostate cancer tends to move slowly, some doctors take a step back when it comes to treatment. Sometimes they choose the \u201cactive surveillance\u201d or \u201cwatchful waiting\u201d approach. That\u2019s when they closely watch your prostate cancer symptoms without giving any active treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Watchful waiting can last years. Many people choose this to avoid the possible side effects of treatment for as long as possible. But research in the journal JAMA Network<\/em> suggests it may not be appropriate for Black men given that they\u2019re more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn a 2020 JAMA<\/em> study, researchers looked at how prostate cancer progressed among Black men. They compared it to white men who chose the watchful waiting method. In a follow-up period of 7.6 years, 59.9% of Black men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer saw their illness advance. That\u2019s compared with 48.3% of white men.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSome doctors believe in a faster, more aggressive treatment of prostate cancer in Black men. That could result in better health results for them. But it\u2019s not a one-size-fits-all approach, says Dr. Lankford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have tons of African American patients who are on active surveillance. I repeat the biopsy. I watch them closely. And everything is fine,\u201d Dr. Lankford says. \u201cActive surveillance is basically a treatment of doing nothing. That way, you can go on living your life. And you don\u2019t have to treat the prostate cancer until it becomes a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bottom line: Prostate cancer is highly survivable \u2014 if you catch it early enough. And because Black men are at a higher risk of dying from it, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your doctor about getting a screening. If you\u2019re worried that you might be at risk, schedule an appointment today.<\/p>\n\n\n