Understanding and Addressing Prostate Cancer Disparities in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcomes Among Black Men

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Disparities Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Prostate cancer (PCa) disproportionately affects Black men, who are diagnosed younger and experience higher mortality rates.
• Existing disparities are driven by a complex interplay of social, behavioral, and biological factors across multiple levels.
• Limited representation of Black men in clinical trials hinders treatment generalizability and access to high-quality care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the epidemiology of prostate cancer disparities in Black men.
• To identify key contributing factors to these disparities.
• To propose multi-level strategies for mitigation.

Main Methods:

• Narrative literature review of existing research on prostate cancer in Black men.
• Analysis of epidemiological data and contributing factors.
• Synthesis of evidence to propose intervention strategies.

Main Results:

• Black men experience higher rates of advanced-stage diagnosis, recurrence, and mortality from prostate cancer.
• Contributing factors include healthcare system mistrust, poor patient-provider communication, low screening awareness, and high costs.
• Underrepresentation in clinical trials exacerbates these disparities.

Conclusions:

• Multi-level interventions are necessary to address the complex factors driving prostate cancer disparities in Black men.
• Strategies should focus on improving healthcare access, patient-provider communication, screening awareness, and clinical trial diversity.
• Mitigating these disparities is crucial for achieving health equity in prostate cancer outcomes.