About Prostate Cancer

About Prostate Cancer

i. What is the Prostate?

First things first — what even is the prostate? It's a small gland, about the size of a walnut, sitting just below the bladder. It wraps around the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body) and plays a big role in reproduction by producing seminal fluid, which helps sperm move.

As men age, the prostate often grows larger, which can sometimes lead to health concerns. Understanding its function is a vital first step toward recognising potential health concerns early.

ii. What is Cancer?

Cancer is when cells in the body start growing out of control. In prostate cancer, this overgrowth usually starts in the small tubes (ducts) inside the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer isn't one-size-fits-all. Some types grow super slowly (so slow they may never actually cause problems) while others are aggressive and need urgent treatment.

iii. The Statistics

Studies consistently show:

• 1 in 4 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Compared to 1 in 8 men from other racial groups
• 1 in 12 Black men will die from it
• Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed
• And twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than other groups

Why? A mix of genetics, late diagnosis, and disparities in healthcare access.

iv. Age and Risk

Prostate cancer is typically associated with men over 50, but for Black men, it's a different story. Research shows Black men tend to develop more aggressive forms at a younger age. This is why experts recommend starting annual screenings as early as 40, especially if there's a family history.

v. Ethnicity and Genetics

The link between ethnicity and prostate cancer is undeniable. For reasons still under investigation — likely a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and healthcare disparities — Black men are disproportionately affected.

Genetic studies have identified mutations in specific genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (the same ones linked to breast cancer), that could make prostate cancer more aggressive in Black men. These genes act like instructions that control how your cells grow and repair themselves. When mutations occur, the instructions can go wrong, increasing the risk of cancer.

Having these mutations doesn't guarantee someone will get prostate cancer, but it does increase the likelihood.

vi. The Data Crisis in West Africa

One of the biggest challenges in tackling prostate cancer, especially in West Africa, is the lack of reliable data. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), there is little to no cancer data available from West Africa.

Without proper records, we don't know the full scale of the issue. The most recent population-based cancer data from Nigeria was last accepted in the year 2000 — and even then, it only covered one region. That's over two decades of missing information.