[News One] A recent study suggests that African-American couples affected by the trials of prostate cancer face emotional challenges that increase the burden of combating the disease. Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center of Florida published the study in the Journal of Cancer Education, which focused primarily on African-American men and how their families fared while dealing with cancer.
“African-Americans continue to experience higher morbidity and mortality rates from prostate cancer and lower survival rates when compared to men of other ethnic and racial groups,” said study leader Brian M. Rivers, Ph.D., M.P.H. Rivers and his research team uncovered several key factors that may contribute to lower prostate cancer survivor rates amongst Black families. Tumor biology, lack of insurance coverage, lack of prostate cancer knowledge, and inadequate communication between the patient’s family and doctors are just a few items said to have detrimental impact.