Insufficient Prostate Cancer Research Funds for Blackmen

Black men are more than twice as likely as white men to develop prostate cancer and die from it, the Journal-Constitution reports. In addition, on average, prostate cancer develops five years earlier, and the tumors grow and spread more quickly in blacks than in whites.

Researchers attribute the disparity to biology, diet, environment and inadequate access to care. Only a small percentage of prostate cancer research funding goes toward finding the causes of disparities between black and white men, the Journal-Constitution reports.

Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) said, "There is no reason" that prostate cancer should not receive the same government funding and support provided for breast and cervical cancer among minority women. Marshall in May introduced legislation that would make prostate cancer screenings available to the poor, as breast and cervical cancer screenings are available at no-cost to poor women.

James Mohler, a leading clinical researcher, said about prostate cancer advocacy, "We're not in Washington, D.C., advocating. We're not out there screaming like we ought to be".



Source-Kaiser Family Foundation
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