Prospective cohort study of outcomes of prostate cancer among Black men versus men of other races in Canada

Prostate cancer is a prevalent disease among men worldwide, exhibiting substantial heterogeneity in presentation and outcomes influenced by various factors, including race and ethnicity. A prospective, observational cohort study in Alberta (Canada) compared prostate cancer outcomes between Black men and men of other races (Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, White, Multiracial, and Other) in a universal health care system, with race and ethnicity self-reported. A total of 6534 men were included, among 177 (2.7%) were Black. Men who identified as Black were diagnosed with prostate cancer at an earlier age (62.0 ± 8.2 versus 64.6 ± 7.7 years; p<0.001) and had a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index rating (14% versus 7% ≤ 1; p<0.001) compared with men of other races, but had similar PSA levels at diagnosis, TNM category, and Gleason Grade Group. Black men had similar rates of prostate cancer-specific (HR 1.10; p=0.85), metastasis-free (0.88; p=0.44), and overall (0.55; p=0.15) survival. The authors conclude that in a universal health care system Black men, despite being diagnosed at a younger age, experience comparable prostate cancer outcomes as men of other races.