GPs should discuss PSA testing with Black men from the age of 45 years after figures show disproportionately high rates of late-stage prostate cancer diagnosis, a charity has said.
Data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit shows that Black men have higher rates of stage 3 and 4 prostate cancer diagnoses than any other ethnic group.
The analysis also found that Black men diagnosed at a later stage in their 60s are 14% less likely to get NICE approved treatment on NHS when compared to white men.
In every 100,000 white men in England, 295 get diagnosed at a later stage, while for every 100,000 Black men in England, 440 get a later stage diagnosis, the report found.
When considered alongside the fact that Black men are twice as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, more needs to be done to identify the disease at an early stage Prostate Cancer UK said.
The charity called on the Government to change outdated NHS guidelines so that GPs can talk openly with black men about prostate cancer from the age of 45 years.
Routine PSA screening is not currently offered on the NHS at the advice of the National Screening Committee that the benefits do not outweigh the harms but men over 50 years without symptoms can ask their GP.
The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing six different proposals for prostate cancer screening, including a targeted service for men at higher risk due to factors such as ethnicity and family history.
It will also consider research suggesting MRI scans may be a way to more accurately detect prostate cancer.
The Government has also announced a landmark trial to test screening in men at higher risk of the disease.
One Europe-wide study published last year found that marked differences in PSA testing and prostate cancer diagnosis between countries compared with much less variation in mortality was indicative of overdiagnosis related to ‘screening’.
Overall, the report found a 9% increase in prostate cancer diagnosis in 2023 in England.
Keith Morgan, associate director of Black health equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘We know that Black men are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer, but this new data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit shows that if you’re Black, the odds are currently stacked even higher against you. I
‘It’s encouraging that most Black men are being diagnosed in time for a cure, but far too many are still being diagnosed late and Black men as a population have higher rates of late-stage diagnoses when compared to white men.
‘Black men are also less likely to receive NICE approved treatments that are proven to be the best options.’
He said the NHS prostate cancer guidelines for GPs were ‘hugely outdated’.
‘In the current guidelines, GPs are told not to start conversations about the pros and cons of PSA testing with men at risk. Instead, it’s up to men to know their risk and start a conversation themselves.’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Prostate cancer patients are waiting too long for diagnosis and treatment, and we are determined to change that.
‘The UK National Screening Committee is reviewing the evidence for prostate cancer screening programmes, including targeted approaches for men at higher risk.
‘Given Black men are twice as likely to get prostate cancer, much more needs to be done to speed up diagnosis and treatment.”
‘Through our Plan for Change we are working to catch cancer earlier so we can treat it faster– through improving prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and research.’