“If you catch it now, you can get help”: shining a light on Black men’s increased risk of prostate cancer

1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer. A Black man is twice as likely to get the disease compared with other men — but the good news is that the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat. 

This World Cancer Day, we’ve teamed up with ITN Business, featuring on their new programme Shaping the Future of Cancer Care to share what a Black man can do today about his increased risk of getting prostate cancer. 

The programme highlights the work of organisations, like us at Prostate Cancer UK, that are making strides against cancer, showcasing hope and progress. 

From the ITN London Studio, presenter Simon Thomas speaks to Nick Ridgman, our Head of Health Information & Clinical Support, and Samuel Nelson, one of our supporters who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017 when he was in his fifties. 

They discuss why it’s crucial that every Black man knows his risk and talks to his GP about getting a regular PSA blood test from the age of 45. Plus, they talk about the societal barriers Black men face when thinking about getting tested, why a national screening programme would give more Black men longer lives, and the major research we’re funding to work out the reasons why Black men have an increased risk. 

Check your risk using Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker at prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck   

Watch the Full Programme