New York State Department of Health Recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Department Highlights Importance of Informing New Yorkers About Prostate Cancer, Prostate Cancer Risk and Talking to a Health Care Provider about Screening
Non-Hispanic Black Males Are Impacted by Prostate Cancer More than Any Other Racial/Ethnic Group
ALBANY, N.Y. (September 6, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes Prostate Cancer Awareness Month by encouraging anyone with a prostate to be informed about the disease and to talk about screening with their health care provider.
"Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. " A conversation with your health care provider about your risk is a good starting point to understand your risk and what options are available."
One in seven males will develop prostate cancer in their lives. In New York State, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer found in males (after skin cancer). Approximately 16,200 New Yorkers are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and 1,650 die of the disease.
It's important to remember that anyone with a prostate can get prostate cancer, and this may include transgender women and gender nonbinary individuals. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older males, with about two-thirds of cases diagnosed in males ages 65 and older. Non-Hispanic Black males have the highest rate of prostate cancer and are more likely to die from the disease than any other racial or ethnic group. Black males are one and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer and twice as likely to die of the disease as compared to white males. Males with close relatives (parent, sibling, child) who have had prostate cancer (especially at a young age) are also more likely to get prostate cancer.
Screening can help find prostate cancer early before there are symptoms. Prostate cancer screening has both risks and benefits, so the decision to get screened must be made after talking with a health care provider. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends individuals assigned male at birth ages 55- 69 talk to their health care provider about their risk for prostate cancer and if screening is the right choice for them. Individuals who are at high risk for prostate cancer should talk with their health care provider about their risk, starting at age 40 or 45. The Task Force does not recommend prostate cancer screening for individuals assigned male at birth who are 70 and older. Individuals 70 years and older who request screening should talk to their health care provider about risks and benefits.
The Department is committed to reducing disparities in prostate cancer and has several initiatives to address them. The Peer Education, Outreach, and Shared Decision Making for Persons at High Risk for Prostate Cancer Program funds organizations to provide education, personalized coaching, linkage to community services to address barriers to health care, and referrals to health care providers for prostate cancer screening with a focus on reaching Black individuals who bear a disproportionately high burden of prostate cancer. These organizations employ peer educators who are from or have a close understanding of the communities they serve.
The New York State Cancer Registry actively collaborates on research studies to improve cancer outcomes and reduce health disparities. New York is one of several sites for the RESPOND Study of research on prostate cancer in men of African ancestry, which seeks to identify why men of African origin have a higher risk of prostate cancer and more aggressive cancers. Follow-up of the RESPOND cohort will begin soon and aims to identify factors associated with prostate cancer progression and survival in men of African ancestry. New York is also one of several enrollment sites for studies examining racial disparities in diagnosis and outcomes for breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer.
The New York State Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program covers the cost of prostate cancer treatment for eligible, uninsured New Yorkers.
The New York State Cancer Consortium is a statewide network with more than 200 members from the public and private sectors that reduce the burden of cancer in New York State through the development and implementation of Action Teams and the New York State Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
The Department encourages New Yorkers, especially those at higher risk for prostate cancer, to educate themselves and talk to their health care provider about getting screened.
Enrolling in health care coverage can improve access to medical care and reduce the risk of illness, including cancer. To enroll in health coverage or to find out about financial assistance to lower the cost of health coverage, contact the NY State of Health at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220) or visit the NY State of Health.
Information about programs established by the Department to help educate and provide support related to cancer can be found here.
The New York State Cancer Registry and cancer statistics can be found here.
More information on cancer, including cancer types, prevention, treatment, and resources, can be found here, including information about cancer survivorship found here.
