prostate-report.org

Use of PSA and DRE tests among African Americans

African-American men experience greater incidence and mortality from prostate cancer compared to White men as well as men from other groups.
A recent study has examined the use of the PSA test and DRE among African-American. This new report is suggesting that overall trends for years 2002-2006 showed a significant decrease in recent PSA test use and DRE among African-American men in 2004 and 2006 compared to year 2002.
The average African American male is in a high-risk category for prostate cancer, and should be encouraged to monitor his risk through appropriate testing. By monitoring his PSA and having regular DREs, he will be in a much better position to determine whether he needs to undergo a  biopsy and subsequent treatment if necessary - although caution needs to be exercised before rushing into a biopsy on the basis of a single PSA result.