Although Black men are more likely than non-Hispanic White men to develop and die from prostate cancer, limited data exist to guide prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening protocols in Black men. This study investigated whether the risk for prostate cancer was higher than expected among self-identified Black than White veterans based on prebiopsy PSA level.
Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to predict the likelihood of prostate cancer diagnosis on first biopsy for 75,295 Black and 207,658 White male veterans. Self-identified race, age at first PSA test, prebiopsy PSA, age at first biopsy, smoking status, statin use, and socioeconomic factors were used as predictors. The adjusted predicted probabilities of cancer detection on first prostate biopsy from the logistic models at different PSA levels were calculated.
After controlling for PSA and other covariates, Black veterans were 50% more likely to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis on their first prostate biopsy than White veterans (odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% CI, 1.47-1.53; p < .001). At a PSA level of 4.0 ng/mL, the probability of prostate cancer for a Black man was 49% compared with 39% for a White man. This model indicated that Black veterans with a PSA of 4.0 ng/mL have an equivalent risk of prostate cancer as White veterans with a PSA of 13.4 ng/mL.
The findings indicate that, at any given PSA level, Black men are more likely to harbor prostate cancer than White men. Prospective studies are needed to better evaluate risks and benefits of PSA screening in Black men and other high-risk populations.
Cancer. 2023 Nov 06 [Epub ahead of print]
Kyung Min Lee, Alex K Bryant, Julie A Lynch, Brian Robison, Patrick R Alba, Fatai Y Agiri, Kathryn M Pridgen, Scott L DuVall, Kosj Yamoah, Isla P Garraway, Brent S Rose
VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA., Department of Radiation Oncology, Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA., Department of Radiation Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA., Department of Surgical and Preoperative Care, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA., VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA.