Why African men should be tested for prostate cancer

(LAGOS) Early testing is key to tackling the rise in prostate cancer cases in Africa – and it doesn’t have to be an invasive procedure.

That’s the message from cancer survivors and health experts on the continent, where prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and men face particular genetic risks.

In 2020, the disease was the most common cancer in men in 40 sub-Saharan African countries.

In southern Africa, the prostate cancer mortality rate is 2.7 times the global average, due to a combination of limited access to healthcare, inadequate screening programs and underlying genetic risk factors.

“By focusing on African populations, we discovered critical genetic risk factors that were not previously identified.”

Carl Chen, senior researcher, Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate Consortium (MADCaP)

Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of knowledge about the symptoms of prostate cancer and many men are diagnosed too late.

In Nigeria, the disease is particularly common in its late stages, making treatment difficult and leading to poor outcomes.

Cross section of the male body showing the location of the prostate. Copyright: Gov.UK (Open Government License v3.0)

Why are African men at risk?

A growing body of research is linking African ancestry to an increased risk of prostate cancer and the likelihood of a more aggressive progression of the disease.

To address these challenges, a groundbreaking study from the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate Consortium (MADCaP) sheds light on the genetic risks specific to African men.

Published in the magazine Natural genetics in OctoberThe study analyzed data from nearly 8,000 participants from five African countries, making it the largest prostate cancer genomic study conducted on the continent.

The research revealed three genetic regions, or loci, that are associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer, and whose variations are unique to African populations.

The researchers say these results underscore the importance of tailoring screening and treatment strategies to reflect the genetic diversity of African populations.

Genetic markers

Carl Chen, a senior researcher at MADCaP, explained that the study’s focus on African genomes allowed researchers to uncover genetic markers that were often overlooked in studies focused on non-African populations.

“By focusing on African populations, we discovered critical genetic risk factors that had not been previously identified,” he said.

“This approach highlights Africa’s unique genetic landscape and lays the foundation for interventions that could address the specific health needs of African men.”

Early intervention is crucial for the treatment of prostate cancer, Chen emphasized.

“With data specific to African genetics, we are better able to create screening protocols that could improve survival rates,” he added.

Debunking the myths about prostate cancer

Despite these advances, barriers to effective treatment of prostate cancer remain. In many African countries, misinformation and stigma surrounding prostate cancer screening prevents men from seeking timely testing. In Nigeria, for example, many men mistakenly believe that screening involves invasive procedures, which discourages them from participating.

Dare Adeosun, a 52-year-old Nigerian who was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in late 2022, shared how understanding the simplicity of the screening process made a difference in his case.

“When I first heard about prostate cancer screening, I thought it was an unpleasant procedure,” he said.

“Like many men, I felt like it was a physical exam that no one was looking forward to. But after speaking to my doctor during my routine annual physical, I learned that it was just a simple blood test. That made all the difference for me – I went in without hesitation.”

“Non-invasive” screening

Adeosun credits early testing for his positive prognosis and calls for greater efforts to educate men about the ease and importance of prostate cancer screening.

Prostate cancer advocates, including health technology entrepreneur Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, have also stressed the need to simplify communication around screening.

Dare-Johnson, whose company Healthtracka provides prostate cancer screening, noted that educating men about the simplicity of the procedure has led to higher participation.

“Educating men about the ease and importance of screening makes a real difference,” she said.

“We see increased willingness to test when men understand that screening does not necessarily mean invasive procedures.”

How can research help?

Beyond raising awareness, Chen and his co-authors say local investment in prostate cancer research is critical to improving outcomes.

“Building research institutions and training scientists in Africa is critical to addressing the continent’s health challenges,” Chen said.

“This study shows that African researchers can and should lead research on health issues affecting African populations.”

While infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis traditionally dominate Africa’s health agenda, Chen and his colleagues argue that non-communicable diseases such as prostate cancer require special attention and resources.

Because prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among African men, Dare-Johnson says locally informed strategies offer the opportunity to significantly improve survival rates.

“Prostate cancer represents a significant health burden and locally informed strategies offer the opportunity to address it more effectively,” says Dare-Johnson

This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s English sub-Saharan Africa editorial team.