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Is Prostate Cancer More Common in African-American Males?

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Last Modified: February 17, 2011

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"

Is prostate cancer more prevalent in African American males rather than Caucasian males?

Neha Vapiwala , MD, Senior Editor of OncoLink and Chief Resident in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, responds:

Looking at data over the 10-year period from 1997-2007, African-American men appear to have the highest incidence rate for prostate cancer, white men had the second highest rate of getting prostate cancer, followed by men who are Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and then American Indian. It is also generally observed that African-American men, compared to all other racial groups, are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer at an advanced stage and are also more likely to die from prostate cancer. It is not entirely clear why these things are true, but likely related to a combination of genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors.

This question and answer was part of the OncoLink Brown Bag Chat Series. See the full transcript of Prostate cancer treatment: where are we now?