Coalition Of Neighborhood Councils

Prostate Cancer Education and Screening

Aug 26, 1998

The Problem

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in the United States. In 1998, it is estimated that 184,500 men will be diagnosed with this disease and that 39,200 will die from it. This year in San Diego County, 2,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 300 will die of the disease. As frightening as these figures are, for all men, prostate cancer incidence rate are nearly two times higher for African American men than Caucasian men.

Although the exact causes remain unexplained, African American men have a disproportionately high risk for developing and dying from prostate cancer. African American men in the United States have the highest incidence rate for prostate cancer in the world. This population, tends to be diagnosed at more advanced stages of prostate cancer, and,consequently, their survival is lower in all stages of the disease.

The Pilot Program

Stevens Cancer Center at Scripps Memorial, in cooperation with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, conducted a pilot prostate program for high-risk men on October 11, 1997, at Bayview Baptist Church in San Diego. Prior to this program, there had been limited efforts to provide prostate education and screening for this population of men.

The Current Program

The Prostate Cancer Education and Detection Outreach Program is designed as a multi-component, community-based health education and screening project for African American men at high risk for prostate cancer in San Diego County. A community-wide education effort will focus on the use of mass media and advertising as well as direct education by trained health professionals and community representatives. Three major geographical areas have been identified as the focus of the direct education and screening programs, including Central and Southeastern San Diego and Mid-City.

The Screening Process

The Stevens Cancer Center in conjunction with the local participating churches will coordinate the prostate screenings. Attempts to recruit high-risk men who have never been screened for prostate cancer and currently do not have access to health care will be made. Certified phlebotomists and registered nurses will conduct blood draws and board certified urologists who will donate their time for the project will conduct digital rectal exams. Counseling and education by a nurse or health educator will take place at the screening site following the participants examination. Results of the exam and instructions for follow-up will be reviewed with the participants before their departure and all men who attend the screening will be provided with a copy of their screening results. The Stevens Cancer Center will conduct patient follow-up, and appropriate referrals will be made as necessary.

Here is an opportunity for African American men who do not have access to health care, to be screened, to detect prostate cancer in it's early stages, where there is a much greater survival rate. The Coalition of Neighborhood Councils will work with the Stevens Cancer Center, to ensure the maximum participation of African American men, between the ages of 40-69. If you are one of the men that fit the qualifications and live in one of the target areas, particularly the Fourth Council District, your community or neighborhood council will have information on how you can participate