MIAMI – A massive study released this week finds that Hispanic men have a greater chance of developing higher risk localized prostate cancer and were less likely to be treated for high risk disease.
Dr. Brandon Mahal, with the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and co-author of the review of over 900,000 men from a national database, said researchers also found differences in risk when looking at the patient’s country of origin.
“We think the predominant reasons for the differences are driven by social-cultural differences, differences to access to care, socioeconomic differences, but there could also be some differences that are driven by ancestral differences, as well,” he said.
Researchers hope the findings will raise awareness among Hispanic men about the importance of prostate cancer screening.
And another study found that mental health issues among prostate cancer patients are often overlooked.
More than a third of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had at least one mental health issue, according to the study.
Almost 30 percent had a fear of cancer recurrence or poor prognosis, and 22 percent met the diagnostic criteria for depression or anxiety.
Researchers said mental wellbeing should be considered during routine follow-ups with prostate cancer patients.
Lastly, a study by the American Heart Association found that health screening and genetic tests might identify more than 1 million U.S. adults at high risk for familial hypercholesterolemia, an inherited disorder that causes elevated levels of bad cholesterol, which may lead to premature cardiovascular disease.
Researchers said that identifying the condition in early adulthood could create the opportunity for early treatment aimed at preventing heart attack and death.