A new campaign to raise awareness of the importance of knowing more about prostate cancer has been launched in Kirklees.
One in four black men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. They are twice as likely to get the disease than other men who have a one in eight chance of getting the disease.
Each year around 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and sadly about 12,000 men will die from it.
You may also be more likely to get prostate cancer as a black man if:
- You are aged 45 or over – and your risk increases as you get older
- Your father or brother has had it
- Your mother or sister has had breast cancer
These stark facts propelled Huddersfield man Phil James into action and led to the campaign, Don’t Be The One. Phil, the founder of Kam’s Corner CIC, which is committed to tackling inequalities, also volunteers for a cancer awareness project Cancer SMART.
Phil took his idea to Yorkshire Cancer Community and fellow volunteer Stephen Halstead, who has had a prostate cancer diagnosis. Stephen helped develop the campaign which urges black men to understand their risk of developing the disease. Unlike some cancers, prostate cancer has no screening programme.
The flyer carries a QR code which takes the reader to Prostate Cancer UK’s website which explains the risks for black men. It also explains who can have a PSA test, a blood test which can help to diagnose prostate cancer.
Orchid gives this advice
The UK’s leading charity dedicated to supporting men and their families affected by male-specific cancers.
National UK guidelines state any man over 50 is entitled to have a PSA blood test, provided they understand the benefits and disadvantages of the results.
Because of the higher risk, it has been suggested black men should discuss the possibility of having a PSA blood test with their GP earlier, around the age of 45.
Phil who has received a clear PSA test said: “Working with our black communities, Kam’s Corner CIC and Yorkshire Cancer Community, we are encouraging all black men aged 45 years and over, to take a leaflet and ask their GP practice for a PSA blood test. “A PSA blood test involves taking a blood sample from the arm and can help identify if you need to be sent to hospital for further tests for prostate cancer.”