April 8th 2024.
A recent study has revealed a concerning connection between prostate cancer and differences in vascular health between Black and white men. Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia shared their findings at the American Physiological Summit in Long Beach, California from April 4 to April 7.
According to an article on Physiology.org, there is already a known racial disparity in prostate cancer outcomes between Black and white men. However, the discovery of impaired microvascular health in Black men with prostate cancer suggests that they are also at a higher risk for heart disease.
The researchers are optimistic that this finding will pave the way for treatments that can help bridge the gap in outcomes between Black and white prostate cancer patients. Abigayle Simon, the lead author of the study, explained to Physiology.org, "By understanding how race plays a role in the development of vascular health after a prostate cancer diagnosis, we can develop more effective strategies to reduce the cardiovascular burden associated with cancer."
NBC News reports that it is not clear whether prostate cancer is more prevalent in Black men compared to white men, but it does seem to be more aggressive, according to Dr. Abhinav Khanna, a urologist at the Mayo Clinic. He also shared that Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared to white men. "While not all prostate cancer is deadly, we have observed that Black men have a higher risk of succumbing to the disease," Khanna stated.
This disparity could be attributed to the fact that Black men are less likely to undergo prostate cancer screenings, as reported by a study published in the medical journal Cancer in 2022. "Having immediate family members with prostate cancer can increase one's risk. Additionally, there are other cancers that tend to run in families, such as breast and ovarian cancer, as well as genetic mutations like Lynch syndrome," explained Dr. Adam Murphy, a urologist at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.
Murphy also shed light on the stigma surrounding Black men's sensitivity when it comes to prostate health, citing the recent controversy surrounding Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. "Men often have a different approach to healthcare compared to women, as they do not need to visit an OB-GYN. This often leads to them neglecting their health after high school or college," he stated.
He added, "I believe Secretary Austin's actions highlighted the persistence of this stigma, despite being duty-bound to disclose his condition to the White House."
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