Prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with 1.41 million cases diagnosed annually. While the disease can affect males of all backgrounds, Missouri and Illinois have disproportionate representation of the disease in Black men.
While early detection and treatment are saving more lives than ever, health inequities cause prostate cancer to have more negative impacts in the Black community.
Dr. William Dayhut is the chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society. He told KMOX some of the statistics.
"In Missouri, for example, out of 100,000 men, 17 white men are likely to die from the disease, but nearly 37 Black men will die from the disease in Missouri," Dr. Dayhut said.
In Illinois, those numbers are even worse. Out of 100,000 men, about 20 white men will die from the disease, while almost 43 Black men will.
According to the CDC, racial inequality and racism in healthcare "negatively affects the mental and physical health of millions of people, preventing them from attaining their highest level of health, and consequently, affecting the health of our nation."
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