Background: Black men are at increased risk for prostate cancer (PCA), particularly with a family history (FH) of the disease. Previous reports have raised concern for suboptimal screening of black men with an FH of PCA. The extent of FH of PCA are reported from a prospective, longitudinal PCA screening program for high-risk men.
Methods: Black men ages 35 to 69 years are eligible for PCA screening through the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program (PRAP) regardless of FH. Rates of self-reported FH of PCA, breast, and colon cancer at baseline were compared with an age-matched sample of black men from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) using standard statistical methods.
Results: As of January 2007, 332 black men with pedigree information were enrolled in PRAP and FH of PCA was compared with 838 black men from the 2005 NHIS. Black men in PRAP reported significantly more first-degree relatives with PCA compared with black men in the 2005 NHIS (34.3% [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 29.2-39.7] vs 5.7% [95% CI, 3.9-7.4]). Black men in PRAP also had more FH of breast cancer compared with those in the 2005 NHIS (11.5% [95% CI, 8.2-15.4] vs 6.3% [95% CI, 4.6-8.0]).
Conclusions: FH of PCA appears to be a motivating factor for black men seeking PCA screening. Targeted recruitment and education among black families should improve PCA screening rates. Efforts to recruit black men without an FH of PCA are also needed.