top of page

PROSTATE CANCER

​Every 18 minutes, a man dies from prostate cancer. That figure is unacceptable, considering that the disease has a 99% survival rate when caught early. But not enough men are getting tested, and one in nine men will suffer from the disease in his lifetime. With your help, we can fund critical programs that serve patients and their families. We'll advance research into new treatments and a cure. You'll help raise awareness and enable life-saving early detection.

UNDERSTANDING RISK

Individuals at high-risk for prostate cancer include:

  • African Americans

  • Family history of prostate cancer

  • Genetic predisposition to prostate cancer

  • Military Veterans

  • Family history of breast cancer

TESTING & SCREENING

Testing is recommended for all persons with a prostate over age 55 and all persons with a prostate over 40 in a specific high risk category. Screening/testing includes a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

​

Here's what you need to know about PSA testing:
 

  1. PSA testing can detect early-stage cancers. PSA testing may catch something that a digital rectal examination would miss

  2. Conditions other than cancer can elevate your PSA level. BPH and prostatitis can elevate your PSA

  3. A "normal" PSA level doesn't guarantee that you are cancer-free. In about 15% of men with a PSA below 4 ng/ml, a biopsy will reveal prostate cancer.


Where and how can you get PSA testing?

  1. Insured? Talk to your Primary Care Physician.

  2. Uninsured? A majority of local Federally Qualified Health Centers have affordable lab prices. At Well Space, patients can pay $10 for their PSA labs.

DIAGNOSES

Diagnosed with prostate cancer and don't know where to go for support?

  1. Check out ZERO360 for Comprehensive Patient Support 

  2. The Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS) has a Prostate Cancer Treatment Program for patients who:

    • Are 18 years old or older

    • Have a diagnosis of prostate cancer

    • Have low income

    • Have no medical insurance, and do not qualify for Medicare or Medi-Cal

    • Live in California

RACIAL DISPARITIES

Racism is a Public Health Crisis

Prostate cancer impacts African-American men at a rate nearly 2 times that of white men and African-American men are 2.2 times as likely to die of prostate cancer than white men.

While genetics affects prostate cancer risk, studies show that black men black men don't appear to intrinsically and biologically harbor more aggressive disease.

They generally get fewer PSA screenings, are more likely to be diagnosed with later stage cancer, are less likely to have health insurance, have less access to high-quality care and other disparities that can be linked to a lower overall socioeconomic status.

Check out this study from the University of Michigan for more details

​

In April 2021, Zero launched a Prostate Cancer Racial Disparities Task Force that focuses on three pillars of impact:

  1. Education & Awareness

  2. Clinical Trial Advocacy

  3. Financial Assistance & Patient Support

bottom of page