AACR, Baylor College of Medicine Houston, Cancer Research, Genetic Research, Prostate Cancer, Race/Ethnic Diversity, Social Issues / 10.04.2021
Prostate Cancer in African American Men: High Mutation Frequency in Key Cancer Drivers
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Nicholas Mitsiades MD
Associate Professor of Medicine - Hematology and Oncology
Baylor College of Medicine
Oncologist at the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: African American men have higher risk of developing prostate cancer and up to 2.2-times higher mortality rate from prostate cancer relative to men of other ancestries. This is the largest health disparity across all cancers in the US. Socioeconomic factors, especially access to healthcare, definitely contribute to this disparity. African American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a more advanced stage than other races, and this is unfortunately very common at Ben Taub Hospital, our safety-net hospital in the Houston area, where we serve large racial and ethnic minority populations and patients who lack commercial insurance.
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