Home / Health / Black Men Face Higher Prostate Cancer Risk: New Guidelines Offer Hope
Black Men Face Higher Prostate Cancer Risk: New Guidelines Offer Hope
4 Jul
Summary
- Prostate cancer mortality is twice as high in Chicago's south and west side neighborhoods.
- New SMART PSA guidelines incorporate age, family history, and African ancestry for screening.
- SMART PSA guidelines aim to reduce prostate cancer deaths by targeting at-risk populations.
Prostate cancer disproportionately affects Black men, with mortality rates nearly double the general population in certain Chicago neighborhoods. Researchers at UI Health have developed the SMART PSA guidelines to target screening more effectively.
These new guidelines identify critical risk factors such as age, family history, and African ancestry as determinants for when men should undergo prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. This approach aims to prevent overdiagnosis and overtreatment of non-progressive cancers while ensuring that at-risk individuals receive timely detection.
Dr. Karriem Watson, CEO of UI Health Miles Square, highlights that the guidelines are already showing promise. By asking the right questions of the right populations, these efforts can lead to better solutions and improved screening outcomes. The initiative seeks to provide Black men with a better chance at early detection and successful treatment, mirroring positive outcomes experienced by those diagnosed and treated effectively.
