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To mark World Cancer Day (Friday 4 February 2022) Wessex Cancer Alliance, Dorset Race Equality Council and Wessex Voices hosted a conversation on prostate cancer in our online event Let’s Talk About Prostate Cancer.
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 4 men from Black African, Caribbean, and Black British communities – which is twice as many as the 1 in 8 men it affects from other communities. Black men are also at risk from a younger age than other men.
Watch the video here to see our presenters discuss the signs and symptoms, the PSA test and their personal experiences of prostate cancer.
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It’s the most common cancer in men, but most men with early prostate cancer don’t have symptoms.
Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening. But when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.
Why is it important? Simply put, Black men are at greater risk of prostate cancer, and from a younger age, than other men.
Prostate cancer affects 1 in 4 men from Black African, Caribbean and Black British communities. A far higher rate than the 1 in 8 men it affects from other communities. In addition to this startling statistic, Black men are also at risk from the age of 45 rather than 50 years old, as in other men.
If they have symptoms, Black men are less likely to act on them and visit their doctor. This means that if it is cancer, it can be harder to treat.
Watch this video by film director Sir Steve McQueen, then click on the link below the video to listen to a podcast about prostate cancer. Topics include the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, and the potential barriers to men accessing a PSA test. The podcast features Duke Harrison-Hunter, a Black man living in Portsmouth, who is supporting the prostate cancer campaign, raising awareness with and for Black men.
Wessex Cancer Alliance, with support from Dorset Race Equality Council and Wessex Voices, are listening to and working with Black men, their partners and other organisations in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to understand how aware men are of this heightened risk.
Together, we are also exploring the barriers men face which can prevent them seeking help.
From our conversations, we know we need to consider and address:
If you are interested in the discussions we have had so far, and the action plan developed as a result please check out the documents on this page.
We meet regularly and are building up to the launch of a publicity campaign during Black History Month in October and Movember (men’s health campaign) in November.
There is funding available for individual or groups to carry out activities in relation to the project. This can be up to £500 depending on the size of the initiative. It can be for any idea that meets the following simple criteria:
There is a very simple application form that needs to be completed to apply. Click on the link below to download the form.
If you are interested in the project and would like to join, please get in touch with Nathalie Sherring at nathalie.sherring@dorsetrec.org.uk