What Every Black Man Needs to Know About His Prostate

Let's talk about something that doesn't come up enough in barbershop conversations, group chats, or family gatherings: the prostate. If you're reading this and thinking, "What even is that?" — you're not alone. But here's the thing: understanding this small gland could literally save your life.

What Is the Prostate, Anyway?

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Its main job is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm — basically, it's essential for reproduction. As men age, the prostate can grow larger and sometimes develop problems, including cancer.

You might not think about it daily, but your prostate plays a crucial role in your body. And for Black men especially, paying attention to prostate health isn't just important — it's critical.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Black Men Are at Higher Risk

Here's what we're up against:

About 1 in 6 Black men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, compared to about 1 in 8 men overall. That's a significantly higher risk right off the bat.

Black men are roughly 70% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from it compared to white men. This is partly due to more aggressive disease and diagnoses that come too late.

In fact, prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting Black men in the United States, making up more than one-third of all cancers diagnosed in our community.

But here's the good news that needs to be shouted from the rooftops: when prostate cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%. Early detection changes everything.

Why Does Risk Go Up?

Several factors stack the deck:

Age is the biggest one — risk shoots up after 50. But for Black men, the conversation needs to start earlier.

Family history matters tremendously. If your father, brother, or multiple relatives have had prostate cancer, your risk increases. If those relatives were diagnosed at a young age, the risk climbs even higher.

Genetics can also play a role. Certain inherited gene changes, like BRCA2 mutations, can further elevate risk and may require closer monitoring.

The Symptoms: What to Watch For (and Why You Might Not Notice Anything)

Here's the tricky part: early-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. That's exactly why screening is so important. By the time you notice something's wrong, the cancer may have already progressed.

When symptoms do appear, they might include:

• Weak urine flow or trouble starting urination
• Frequent urination, especially at night (getting up multiple times to use the bathroom)
• Blood in your urine or semen
• New difficulty getting or maintaining an erection

If the disease has advanced, symptoms can get more serious: bone pain in the hips, back, or ribs; unexplained weight loss; or persistent fatigue. Any of these signs, especially if you're at higher risk, should send you straight to a doctor.

The silent nature of early prostate cancer is precisely why waiting for symptoms is a dangerous game. You can feel perfectly fine while cancer is developing. That's the wake-up call.

When Should You Start Screening?

For the average man, screening discussions typically begin around age 50 to 55. But for Black men, many experts recommend having that conversation much earlier — around age 40 to 45. Getting a baseline PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test in your early-to-mid 40s, along with regular follow-ups based on results and your doctor's advice, can be life-saving.

If you have a strong family history or known high-risk genes, you might need to start even earlier and monitor more frequently.

The Question You Need to Ask Yourself

When was the last time you talked to a doctor about your prostate health?

If the answer is "never" or "I can't remember," it's time to change that. If you're over 40 and Black, that conversation isn't something to put off until next year or when something feels wrong. It needs to happen now.

Prostate cancer doesn't care about how busy you are, how healthy you feel, or whether you "have time" for a doctor's visit. But catching it early — before symptoms ever appear — gives you the best possible chance of beating it.

Take the Step

Talk to your doctor. Ask about PSA screening. Know your family history. And spread the word to your brothers, fathers, sons, and friends. We take care of the homies by looking out for each other — and that includes making sure we're all around for a long time to come.

Your prostate health matters. Your life matters. Don't wait.