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Black men more likely to get prostate cancer
Mark Prigg, Science Correspondent30 Sep 2008
Black men in England are three times more likely than white men to get prostate cancer and tend to be diagnosed five years younger, scientists have found.
Researchers at the University of Bristol found no evidence that black men get poorer access to health care.
Reporting in the British Journal of Cancer, scientists said black men were more likely to be referred to hospital for further investigation by their GP.
Cancer charities said the finding may lead to better care for men at higher risk of the disease.
The study was looking at whether more black men got prostate cancer or just whether they were more likely to be diagnosed.
Hospital records revealed that both black and white men had similar levels of knowledge about prostate cancer, similar symptoms and similar delays before they went to their GP. Study leader Dr Chris Metcalfe told the BBC: "One of the possibilities based on anecdote was that black men may delay presentation - so the cancer gets to a later stage.
"If anything the evidence showed black men were presenting sooner.
"There are very few known risk factors for prostate cancer but it's starting to look like being of black race is a risk factor."
Dr Joanna Peak, science information officer at Cancer Research UK, told the BBC: "The study indicates that there is a true biological difference between ethnic groups and this knowledge could potentially lead to improved care for men at higher risk of developing prostate cancer."
Reader views (7)
That last paragraph is a bit of a kick in the teeth for the PC one worlders who bleat on about us all being the same!
It is clear that we are not all the same. The ethnic groups and races of the world make up a vast and wonderful tapestry that multiculturalism and globalism is destroying.
- Darren Staunton, London UK, 01/10/2008 23:48
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"The study indicates that there is a true biological difference between ethnic groups…"
And now would every media outlet in Britain and the world please apologise for 30 years of peddling the lie that race does not exist!!
- Hilton Gray, London, UK, 01/10/2008 23:04
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How on earth is this racist??? It is purely highlighting the fact that there may be a genetic factor which increases the risk of prostate cancer in Black men. Would saying that there is a higher risk of breast cancer in women be sexist? No! In fact this is the oposite of being racist. It is acknowledging that there is an increased risk, and that this part of the community need improved services. Ignoring the fact, and providing one 'size fits all' services would be racism.
So as Jc says, stop dropping 'ism's everywhere. This isnt about the institution trying to kill anyone off, but if you dont accept the fact and get yourself checked, then prostate cancer might.
- St, London, 01/10/2008 12:00
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Oh Bob please! How on earth is that sexism?
Why does everyone immediately scream 'ism' these days?? You're as bad as those screaming rac'ism' when they see a jelly baby! Instead of complaning about it, why don't YOU do something about it? Don't you think that breast cancer lobbying started off with only a handful of people? You could change the world Bob.... but something tells me you'd rather just sit there on your prostate complaining about it.
- Jc, London, 01/10/2008 01:01
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The question is not racism but sexism.
We have screening for Breast and Cervical cancer but not for prostrate, well not in the UK. It can be common in other countries - not just physical exam but a blood marker test (although not that accurate)
Would like to see NICE/NHS actually use their numbers i.e. attack the cancers that kill at the most cost effective price - surely prostrate cancer would be high up there. But that would mean diverting money to prostrate screening from other screening programs.
The bootom line is womens' groups make much more noise/lobby harder about health issues - thats the true scandel.
- Bob, London, 30/09/2008 15:22
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It's a conspiracy by the white society to kill off black men, some one call Spike Lee or Jesse Jackson ASAP.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 30/09/2008 15:14
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How racist is that? I'd sue somebody white and try and get the highest payout possible.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 30/09/2008 11:56
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