2006-07-12 10:19:15 · 5 answers · asked by J-Z 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
There was a study conducted that suggets obesity may be a part of the reason. Obesity tends to be more common in African American men than men of other ethnic backgrounds.
2006-07-12 10:25:32 · answer #1 · answered by penpallermel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a combination of factors, as many causes of disease are. Just like most other cancers, prostate cancer can be affected by nutrition, genetics and medical care. In the African-American community, prostate cancer has been linked to poor eating habits (and thereby also correlates with obesity). It has also been linked to mutations in genes involved in normal cell death (bcl-2 gene, for one) that would fight cancer. And lastly, African-American men (of all ethnic groups) are less likely to go in for diagnostic testing, especially before symptoms appear (when it already may be too late). It's the combination of all of these factors that make them an "at-risk" population.
2006-07-12 17:56:18 · answer #2 · answered by michelsa0276 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be due to sensitivity to testosterone. Testosterone has an impact on the growth of prostate cancer, which is why those with this cancer have their testosterone chemically blocked to prevent the cancer growing.
Anyway, recent research has shown that testosterone sensitivity may be related to the repeated appearance of specific trinucleotides (CAG) bundled up together on the androgen receptor gene. The lower the number of repeats , the more sensitive to testosterone the man is. This bundling & therefore sensitivity is more common in men of African origin &, hey presto, so is prostate cancer. Seems a remarkable coincidence & no doubt one being investigated as you read this.
2006-07-12 19:14:27 · answer #3 · answered by Fi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The above is correct by Kay O in addition to the fact they are more prone to cancer as well as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Just as those of the Mediterranean sect are more prone to taysachs.
2006-07-12 17:26:55 · answer #4 · answered by celtic-tides04@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say it but it's because a lot of people in the culture do not get regular check ups. Meaning it could be prevent but it's less likely for them to check. Not that they are prone to this awful affliction but because less people stop it from getting that far.
2006-07-12 17:23:33 · answer #5 · answered by Kay O 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋