Reducing prostate cancer morbidity and mortality in African American men: issues and challenges

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2007 Dec;11(6):865-72. doi: 10.1188/07.CJON.865-872.

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the United States. It disproportionately affects African American men when compared to other ethnic groups. African American men are two to three times more likely to die of prostate cancer than white men. The reasons for the disparity remain unclear, but several factors may be involved, such as age, race, nationality, nutrition, exercise, and family history of cancer. Detection of prostate cancer in high-risk African Americans is important but continues to be controversial. This article reviews the current issues and challenges regarding prostate cancer in African American men. Nurses play a vital role in the health care and education of patients; therefore, they must be aware of the issues.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health / ethnology
  • Black or African American* / education
  • Black or African American* / ethnology
  • Black or African American* / genetics
  • Cause of Death
  • Digital Rectal Examination
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Planning Guidelines
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Morbidity
  • Nurse's Role
  • Oncology Nursing
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Prevalence
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / ethnology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • United States / epidemiology