Racial Disparities in Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Treatment: The Potential Health Information Technology Offers

Ethnic differences in prostate cancer presentation: a time for testing advocacy

PURPOSE

It is recognised that there are ethnic variations in prostate cancer (PCa) epidemiology, affecting outcomes. South Asians (SA) are less likely to be diagnosed with PCa than others, although recent evidence shows PCa is rising amongst SA. This study examines the differences between ethnicities in PCa presentation, progression risk and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing use.

METHODS

This retrospective study is on biopsy-diagnosed PCa patients from a multi-ethnic area in London. We grouped ethnicities as SA, White, Black and others, compared presenting symptoms, PSA, Gleason score (GS), and clinical stage, and estimated the D'Amico risk across ethnicities. We also evaluated if the presentation was due to symptoms or an elevated PSA.

RESULTS

We studied 1176 patients with biopsy-proven PCa. Black patients were diagnosed about 3 years before others (65 ± 8.8 years, p = < 0.001). There was no significant difference between ethnicities in presenting PSAs. At presentation, 65-71% were in the high-risk D'Amico category across all ethnicities. SA were least likely to have PSA test-detected cancers (38%, p = 0.001) and had the highest proportion with advanced GS (30.6%). There was no significant difference in the risk of disease progression between groups.

CONCLUSION

Black men were diagnosed youngest. SA had the highest proportion with advanced GS. Most ethnicities had a high risk of progression. SA had the least PSA test-detected cases. The significance of the study lies in understanding ethnic variations in PCa, which could direct targeted prevention and management. We recommend further ethnicity studies and interventions encouraging SA men to embrace PSA testing.

Racial disparities in Black men with prostate cancer: A literature review

Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer (PCa), with earlier presentation, more aggressive disease, and higher mortality rates versus White men. Furthermore, Black men have less access to PCa treatment and experience longer delays between diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the authors discuss the factors contributing to racial disparities and present solutions to improve access to care and increase clinical trial participation among Black men with PCa. Racial disparities observed among Black men with PCa are multifaceted, evolving from institutional racism. Cultural factors include generalized mistrust of the health care system, poor physician-patient communication, lack of information on PCa and treatment options, fear of PCa diagnosis, and perceived societal stigma of the disease. In the United States, geographic trends in racial disparities have been observed. Economic factors, e.g., cost of care, recovery time, and cancer debt, play an important role in racial disparities observed in PCa treatment and outcomes. Racial diversity is often lacking in genomic and precision medicine studies. Black men are largely underrepresented in key phase 3 PCa trials and may be less willing to enroll in clinical trials due to lack of awareness, lack of diversity in clinical trial research teams, and bias of health care providers to recommend clinical research. The authors propose solutions to address these factors that include educating clinicians and institutions on the barriers Black men experience, increasing the diversity of health care providers and clinical research teams, and empowering Black men to be involved in their treatment, which are keys to creating equity for Black men with PCa. LAY SUMMARY: Prostate cancer negatively affects Black men more than men of other races. The history of segregation and mistreatment in the health care system may contribute to mistrust among Black men. Outcomes are worse for Black men because they are less likely to be screened or to receive treatment for prostate cancer. Black men also are unlikely to participate in clinical research, making it difficult for investigators to understand how Black men are affected by prostate cancer. Suggestions for addressing these differences include teaching physicians and nurses about the issues Black men experience getting treatment and improving how Black men get information on prostate cancer.

Deconstructing, Addressing, and Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Prostate Cancer Care

CONTEXT

Men of African ancestry have demonstrated markedly higher rates of prostate cancer mortality than men of other races and ethnicities around the world. In fact, the highest rates of prostate cancer mortality worldwide are found in the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan West Africa, and among men of African descent in the USA. Addressing this inequity in prostate cancer care and outcomes requires a focused research approach that creates durable solutions to address the structural, social, environmental, and health factors that create racial disparities in care and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a conceptual model for evaluating racial inequities in prostate cancer care to facilitate the development of translational research studies and interventions.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A collaborative review of literature relevant to racial inequities in prostate cancer care and outcomes was performed. Existing literature was used to highlight various components of the conceptual model to inform future research and interventions toward equitable care and outcomes.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Racial inequities in prostate cancer outcomes are driven by a series of structural and social determinants of health that impact exposures, mediators, and outcomes. Social determinants of equity, such as laws/policies, economic systems, and structural racism, affect the inequitable access to environmental and neighborhood exposures, in addition to health care access. Although the incidence disparity remains problematic, various studies have demonstrated parity in outcomes when social and health factors, such as access to equitable care, are normalized. Few studies have tested interventions to reduce inequities in prostate cancer among Black men.

CONCLUSIONS

Worldwide, men of African ancestry demonstrate worse outcomes in prostate cancer, a phenomenon driven largely by social factors that inform biologic, environmental, and health care risks. A conceptual model was presented that organizes the many factors that influence prostate cancer incidence and mortality. Within that framework, we must understand the current state of inequities in clinical prostate cancer practice, the optimal state of what equitable practice would be, and how achieving equity in prostate cancer care balances costs, benefits, and harms. More robust characterization of the sources of prostate cancer inequities should inform testing of ambitious and innovative interventions as we work toward equity in care and outcomes.

PATIENT SUMMARY

Men of African ancestry demonstrate the highest rates of prostate cancer mortality, which may be reduced through social interventions. We present a framework for formalizing the identification of the drivers of prostate cancer inequities to facilitate the development of interventions and trials to eradicate them.

Racial Differences in Prostate Cancer Characteristics and Cancer-Specific Mortality: An Overview

Racial differences of prostate cancer incidence and mortality among Asian, Black, and Caucasian men have been known, however, comprehensive update of this topic is not yet reported. In the present review, an overview of the racial differences in prostate cancer characteristics and cancer-specific mortality is collected and reviewed. Regarding racial differences of incidence and mortality, surprising differences in the incidence of prostate cancer are seen among different populations around the world, with some countries having rates that are 60 to 100 times higher than others. African-American men have a higher incidence of prostate cancer, higher prostate cancer mortality, and are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a younger age than Caucasian American men. Furthermore, race is gaining attention as an important factor to consider for planning active surveillance for localized prostate cancer, especially among African-Americans. In addition, the causes of these differences are being elucidated by genomic profiling. Determinants of racial disparities are multifactorial, including socioeconomic and biologic factors. Although race-specific differences in prostate cancer survival estimates appear to be narrowing over time, there is an ongoing need to continue to understand and mitigate racial factors associated with disparities in health care outcomes.

Pathogenic BRCA Variants as Biomarkers for Risk in Prostate Cancer

Simple Summary

Historically, the treatment of prostate cancer was a blanket approach for all. Prostate cancer has not benefitted from targeted treatments based on specific tumour characteristics (ie. Particular genetic or molecular patterns) the way other cancers have. This is important as studies have shown that prostate cancer patients with certain errors in their genes, such as BRCA2 or BRCA1, are more likely to have worse disease and poorer outcome. These patients can be treated successfully with a group of drugs called ‘PARP inhibitors’. This paper examines the prognostic, clinical and therapeutic role of BRCA2/BRCA1 mutations across the evolution of PCa. The impact of the inclusion of BRCA genes on genetic screening will also be outlined.

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that men with Prostate Cancer (PCa) harboring BRCA2/BRCA1 genetic aberrations, are more likely to have worse disease and a poorer prognosis. A mutation in BRCA2 is known to confer the highest risk of PCa for men (8.6 fold in men ≤65 years) making BRCA genes a conceivable genomic biomarker for risk in PCa. These genes have attracted a lot of research attention however their role in the clinical assessment and treatment of PCa remains complex. Multiple studies have been published examining the relationship between prostate cancer and BRCA mutations. Here BRCA mutations are explored specifically as a biomarker for risk in PCa. It is in this context, we examined the prognostic, clinical and therapeutic role of BRCA2/BRCA1 mutations across the evolution of PCa. The impact of the inclusion of BRCA genes on genetic screening will also be outlined.