Prostate Cancer in the Caribbean Community: Breaking the Silence, Saving Lives

As a physician who treats cancer every day, I am struck by how often men underestimate their risk of prostate cancer. Yet the numbers tell a sobering story. One in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed during their lifetime, making it the most common cancer in men. For men of African descent, including many in our Caribbean American community, the risk is even higher—and the disease tends to be more aggressive.

Part of the challenge is that prostate cancer often develops silently. In its earliest stages, it may cause no symptoms at all. That is why early detection is critical. When caught before it spreads, prostate cancer is highly treatable, with survival rates exceeding 98%. But many men avoid conversations about prostate health until cure is no longer an option.

The disparities are apparent in the data. NIH-supported research shows that African American men have a 15% chance of developing prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to about 10% for white men. The risk of dying from prostate cancer is also higher—around 4% for African American men versus about 2% for white men. 

What explains these gaps? Some risk factors are beyond our control, such as age, genetics, and family history. But many others are shaped by where and how we live. Studies have shown that men with West African genetic ancestry who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods face a significantly higher risk than those in more affluent areas. Chronic stress, inequity, limited access to healthy foods, environmental exposures, and gaps in preventive care all contribute.

These are enormous challenges, but that does not mean we are powerless. There are steps we can take—starting with screening. Screening remains one of the most effective tools we have. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test enables the detection of prostate cancer before symptoms appear. For Caribbean-descent men, experts often recommend beginning these conversations in the early 40s, especially for those with a strong family history. Waiting until symptoms develop can mean waiting too long.

Of course, prevention and treatment cannot fall solely on individuals. Our health systems must do more to earn trust, address cultural barriers, and meet men where they are. Unfortunately, many delay care until pain or urinary problems become impossible to ignore. That delay costs lives.

Here’s what we can do together:

• Talk openly. Families should share prostate health history, and community groups should bring these conversations into the open.
  
  

• Seek screening early. If you are of Caribbean descent, understand your personal risks and talk with a doctor you trust about whether screening is proper for you.
  
  

• Advocate locally. Churches, clinics, and community centers can host awareness programs and screening events, helping overcome financial and transportation barriers.
  
  

• Support research. Participation in NIH studies, such as RESPOND, helps ensure that treatments and guidelines reflect the needs of men of African ancestry.
  
  

Prostate cancer does not have to be a silent killer in the community. With awareness, early action, and collective effort, we can change the narrative. Let’s break the silence. Let’s save lives.

About the Author:

Dr. Amar Parikh is a board-certified Medical Oncologist-Hematologist working in Washington Heights at New York Cancer and Blood Specialists.