| > | | | | When the figures were examined in more detail |
| It has been known for a long time that there are | | | | however it was found that there was |
| variations in prostate cancer survival rates across | | | | considerable variation between different Asian |
| ethnic groups and a recently conducted study has | | | | groups. As an example, Japanese-American men |
| now given us some supporting data. | | | | were one-third less likely to die from prostate |
| Consequently, it ought to be possible to identify | | | | cancer, while men from South Asia (including |
| factors that will help us to improve prostate | | | | Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and |
| cancer treatments. | | | | Bhutan) were forty percent more likely to die |
| After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most | | | | from the disease. |
| commonly seen form of cancer in American men | | | | So what does this mean? Well, unfortunately the |
| and it is estimated that almost 219,000 men in | | | | answer would seem to be very little. These |
| the US will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in | | | | variations are without doubt big enough to be |
| 2007 and that just over 27,000 men will die from | | | | significant, but the wide variation between several |
| the condition. | | | | largely similar groups means that it is virtually |
| However, as with many diseases, prostate cancer | | | | impossible to draw any concrete conclusions. |
| survival rates are not the same around the globe | | | | Unquestionably there are a number of things, such |
| and this should provide us with data that will allow | | | | as diet, exercise and genetics, that are a factor |
| us to improve our treatment options. | | | | but several of the findings seem to be almost |
| A recent study examined data on nearly 117,000 | | | | contradictory. |
| men with prostate cancer (including some 108,000 | | | | The result is that, a study that it was believed |
| white men and nearly 9,000 Asians drawn from | | | | would identify differences across ethic groups |
| the six largest Asian ethnicities - Korean, | | | | which would enable us to improve prostate |
| Japanese, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino and | | | | cancer treatment has in fact raised more |
| Vietnamese). The study looked at survival rates | | | | questions that it has answered. In truth, other |
| and prognostic factors for these men. | | | | than pointing to the dangers of drawing |
| Amongst the many findings from the study it | | | | conclusions from too large a group, as witnessed |
| was seen that the risk profile for Asian men was | | | | in the difference between the figures for Asian |
| worse than that for white men, with Asians being | | | | men in general and men from just South Asia, |
| more likely to suffer from advanced prostate | | | | the study has shown that the differences were |
| cancer at the time of diagnosis and of being | | | | larger than most people had believed and thus |
| treated with a range of non-curative therapies. | | | | suggest that the variations might be more |
| However, the study also found that the survival | | | | significant than previously believed. |
| rates for Asian men were either equal to or | | | | At the end of the day, this study has not taken |
| better than those for white men. | | | | us any further forward but has at least highlighted |
| These results were somewhat surprising when | | | | the need for further investigation that will |
| we consider that the average age at which most | | | | hopefully provide us with better data and allow us |
| Asian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer is | | | | to take advantage of the higher survival rates in |
| far higher than that for white men and that their | | | | many Asian men in putting together prostate |
| cancer is frequently more advanced, which should | | | | cancer treatment plans. |
| clearly indicate a reduced survival rate. | | | | |