Did you know that men of Surinamese, Caribbean, and African ancestry have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer? And that the disease often develops more aggressively in these men? This makes early detection vital, even before symptoms occur.
Raising awareness together
During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the NKI Center for Early Diagnostics and the Golden Hands Foundation are collaborating to raise awareness about this increased risk. Recently, physician and researcher Sanne Westerhout (NKI) gave a lecture in the Bijlmer in Amsterdam to inform men about their risks, and to highlight the importance of early detection.
Sanne: “We know that men of Surinamese, Caribbean, and African ancestry have an increased risk of developing an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Unfortunately there are still many taboos surrounding cancer in this group, as well as taboos surrounding the prostate and prostate cancer screening. If even a few of the men who attended the lecture discuss the topic at home, with friends, family, or their partner, then my mission is accomplished.”
Jürgen Boerleider, founder of the Golden Hands Foundation, explains: “The Foundation originates from a feeling of helplessness. I have unfortunately lost many family members to cancer, including prostate cancer. I felt powerless because there was nothing I could do to help them. That’s why I want to raise more awareness about cancer. Cancer should no longer be ‘the condition we never talk about’; we need to start a dialogue instead. That’s why awareness is so important.”
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer include:
- Ethnic background: Men of African, Caribbean, or Surinamese ancestry have a higher risk
- Family history: If prostate cancer occurs in direct relatives (father or brother) or if there is a BRCA2 gene mutation in the family
Additionally, after the age of 50, the risk of prostate cancer increases with age.
What can you do?
Thuisarts.nl provides reliable information on testing for prostate cancer through your general practitioner, outlining the advantages and disadvantages of testing. This can help you make a more informed choice.
If you need a referral to a urologist, the NKI Center for Early Diagnostics can usually provide additional tests within one week.
