The healthcare system has failed the Black community. It doesn’t give African Americans the right tools or advice to deal with chronic diseases. When it comes to fatal illnesses, like prostate cancer, Black men are more than likely to die from it due to a lack of resources from the healthcare system.
According to research, “One in six Black men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime.” Even worse, African-American men are forced to wait too long to get tested.
Unfortunately, these racial disparities exist because of a lack of access to specialists, poor doctor-patient relationships that can cause distrust, delays in their treatment plans, and living in a community that’s exposed to harmful environmental toxins.
Fortunately, there are several ways to change the end result.
The best way for male patients with prostate cancer to advocate for themselves is by asking questions. Getting clarity on your disease and the form of treatment can go a long way in saving someone’s life.
Though, there are five important questions that Black men who have prostate cancer should be asking at the doctor’s office. They include everything from early-screening options to whether or not you should consider laparoscopic radical prostatectomy surgery for your treatment plan.
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1. Familiarize Yourself With Your Family History
Studying your family tree can be one of the first steps in helping patients manage their prostate cancer better. In some cases, it can help them get rid of the disease altogether.
If the illness runs in your family, it’ll better prepare you to deal with the disease. Asking your family members questions about what medications helped them manage their prostate cancer could mean the difference between being sick every day and improving your condition.
Even learning about their diet can be helpful as well. Research states that Black men are at a higher risk of developing the disease if they’re obese.
It can be a difficult discussion to have with a family member but in the end, learning about your family history can help you