News
African-American Men: Caught in Prostate Cancer Controversy
By
Chiledum
A.
Ahaghotu,
M.D.,
F.A.C.S.,
Chief of Urology at
Howard
University
Hospital, adviser to
Men’s Health Network
P
rostate cancer is the
leading type of cancer
in men in the United
States, with over 240,000
men diagnosed and 30,000
thousand dying from it each
year. Also, for reasons that
are not completely under-
stood, African-American
men have the highest rates
of prostate cancer in the
U.S, as 1 in 5 will get
prostate cancer in their life-
time. African-Americans
are also 60 percent more
likely to be diagnosed with
prostate cancer and 2.5
times likely to die of the dis-
ease. When caught early,
prostate cancer can be treat-
ed, usually successfully.
But, because many men
experience no symptoms, it
is often identified only by
an abnormal result on a
basic
prostate
cancer
screening called the PSA
test. The PSA test is a blood
test that measures prostate-
specific antigen (PSA), a
protein produced by the
prostate gland. An increase
in the PSA level is often the
only sign of early prostate
cancer. The PSA test is also
valuable in monitoring
patients after treatment. In
May 2012, despite tremen-
dous opposition from
prostate cancer experts, leg-
islators, healthcare advo-
cates and cancer survivors
across the country, a US
Preventative Services Task
Force (USPSTF) Commit-
tee announced a recommen-
dation that PSA testing
should no longer be per-
formed routinely on men in
the United States. The task
force came to this decision
based on studies performed
in the United States and
Europe suggesting that
prostate cancer screening
does not appear to improve
survival in patients with this
disease.
One of the major concerns
raised by opponents of the
recommendation is the fact
that the studies that were
sited lacked representation
by African-American par-
ticipants. Thus, their results
may not be applicable to
that group of men. The
USPSTF committee also
failed to acknowledge the
impact of screening on
declining cancer death rates.
Opponents of this recom-
We honor the many
accomplishments of
African Americans.
It is our primary goal as a labor union to
better the lives of all people working in
the building trades through advocacy,
civil demonstration, and the long-held
belief that workers deserve a "family
wage" - fair pay for an honest day's
work.
A family wage, and the benefits that go
with it, not only strengthens families, but
also allows our communities to become
stronger, more cohesive, and more
responsive to their citizens' needs.
Our family wage agenda reflects our
commitment to people working in the
building trades, and to workers every-
where. In this small way, we are doing
our part to help people achieve the
American Dream. This dream that work-
ers can hold dear regardless of race,
color, national origin, gender, creed, or
religious beliefs.
The Pacific Northwest Regional
Council of Carpenters
Representing more than
5.000 construction work-
ers in Oregon State.
Do you want to know
more about becoming
a Union carpenter?
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Bid Due: 8/29/2012 – 10:00am PT
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T: 503 223 0550 F: 503 223 2874
lewisbuilds.com
Lease Crutcher Lewis, LLC is committed to taking affir-
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age Subcontractors to provide similar opportunities for
their subcontractors /vendors.
8-22-12
Page 6 The Seattle Skanner August 22, 2012
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theska ww.
nner.
com
mendation felt that the bot-
tom line is that fewer men
are dying of prostate cancer
and it is very likely that
early detection has played a
role in this outcome.
Despite the decrease in
death rates, African-Ameri-
can men continue to carry a
disproportionately higher
death rate and, among men
under the age of 60, are 4
times more likely to have
metastatic disease at diag-
nosis.
There is currently ongoing
research to find better
screening strategies than the
PSA test. However, until
these tests have been con-
firmed, the PSA test contin-
ues to be important part of
early detection and should
not be blatantly discarded,
especially as it applies to
high risk populations such
as African-American men.
Any man that is over 40
years of age should have
meaningful dialogue with
his healthcare provider to
understand the details of the
PSA test, its value, and pos-
sible shortcomings. Prostate
cancer screenings are not
provided under the Afford-
able Care Act, so make sure
you choose a health insur-
ance policy that covers PSA
screenings. However, regu-
lar prostate cancer screen-
ings are provided by
Medicare, so if you are
retired, take advantage of
this benefit. If you are diag-
nosed with prostate cancer,
also consider all options for
treatment before making a
decision or, if the cancer is
not aggressive, talk to your
doctor about active surveil-
lance. For information call
303-313-4685/Toll free: 1-
866-4-PROST-8.
Two Public Housing Priorities That May Allow You to
Apply Even When Waiting Lists Are Closed
Home Forward is pleased to announce a new Public
Housing priority for households that require accessible
features that accommodate a wheelchair. Families and
individuals who qualify for this priority can apply at any
time, even when waitlists are closed. This priority does
not apply to the Section 8 program.
Households must verify their need for this priority by
having a physician or other licensed professional com-
plete a Priority Verification Requiring Unit with Accessi-
ble Features form from Home Forward.
The second priority is for households that have a mem-
ber who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness with
a life expectancy of 12 months or less. This priority can
be used to apply for Public Housing and Section 8, even
when waitlists are closed. Households must verify their
need for this priority by having a physician complete a
Priority Verification Due to Health form.
To request the Priority Verification form for either of
these priorities for Public Housing please call 503-802-
8405.
To request the Priority Verification Due to Health form
only for Section 8 please call 503-802-8333, option 7.
Applications will be provided after households have sub-
mitted this form and verified that they qualify for the pri-
ority.
Applications will be accepted for both of these priorities
indefinitely or until further notice from Home
Forward. Waiting lists currently remain closed to
households that don't qualify for these priorities.
22-8-12