Background
Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer (PCa) than men of other ethnicities, will get it at a younger age, and a more aggressive strain of the disease (Prostate Cancer UK 2013). The high death rate is due to a large extent that in too many cases, it is not diagnosed until it has progressed beyond the curable stage. This initiative will target these men, raise awareness of these risks, support decision making with regards to being tested, and self-care, social, emotional and economic wellbeing.
Method
18 month project building upon and developing the initiative with key members of the African-Caribbean community through the Benjamin’s Brothers project at John Taylor Hospice, a concept set-up with the local community, including religious and community leaders, carers and prostate cancer survivors.
Support from consultant oncologists, GP’s as well as a variety of professionals across the CCG.
Results
• Improved access to advice, knowledge, understanding and support to self-manage their health.
• Enable men and their families to live longer with PCa, in the community closer to their homes.
• Provide men and their families with a point of contact within the community setting, signpost them to the appropriate services and act as a liaison between multidisciplinary team across secondary, and primary care settings with an aim of early detection and treatment.
• By providing support and education to the GP’s who monitor these men in the community setting, to enable men to have access to advice and support.
• Delivery of awareness events at community and church groups, also health events in shopping centres and local events.
This initiative offers us a new way of working and enhances the way information and support is disseminated through these communities.
Conclusion
Improved advice and support for African-Caribbean men enabling those living with PCa to lead as full a life as possible, taking the whole family context into account.
References
Ben-Shlomo Y et al. (2008) The Risk of Prostate Cancer amongst Black men in the United Kingdom: The Process Cohort Study. European Urology 53(1): 99-105.
Chinegwundoh F et al. (2006) Risk of presenting features of prostate cancer, amongst African-
Caribbean, South Asian and European men in N.E.
London. British Journal of Urology International
96(6): 1216-20.
Prostate Cancer UK. (2013) Working out the risk of
prostate cancer in Black men Prostate Cancer UK.
Haidar, E. (2008) Evaluating patient satisfaction with nurse practitioners. Nursing Times; 104: 26, 32-33
