The research by Prostate Cancer UK* also discovered two thirds think 5,000 or fewer men die every year from the disease, but in reality, there are 12,000 deaths in the UK alone.
If caught early, the disease can be very treatable, yet only 36% of Black men are aware early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms.
Meanwhile, over half (52%) of those polled admitted they don’t want to bother a GP unless they have pain or are showing signs of illness.
There are also concerns about being tested, with 64% worried about having a rectal exam, despite a blood test being the best first step to test for the disease.
Nearly two thirds (65%) also believe they will be invited for a test by their GP – however this is not the case as there is no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. That is why it is crucial for men to know their risk and speak to their GP if they are concerned.
But testing really is vital since figures show a quarter of Black men in the UK will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, putting them at double the risk of other men, who have a one in eight chance of being diagnosed.
Having a family history of prostate cancer also puts men at increased risk, but 53% of Black men were unaware of the additional hereditary link.
