Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer in the late stages.

A study suggests that black men are more likely to be diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 prostate cancer than white men.

Prostate Cancer UK, a charity that analyses data from the National Prostate Cancer Audit, found that black men who are diagnosed later in life and receive a NICE-approved NHS treatment have fewer chances of getting it.

According to the charity, significant health inequities in the NHS and outdated guidelines are putting men at a disproportionate risk of dying of prostate cancer.

The group has called on the government to update NHS Guidelines so that GPs are able to start proactive conversations about prostate cancer with this cohort as early as 45 years old, informing them of their increased risk and guiding them through the pros of a simple, quick and free PSA test.

Keith Morgan, associate director for black health equity at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We already know that black men have a higher prostate cancer risk, but these new statistics from the National Prostate Cancer Audit show that the odds against you are even greater if you are black.”

“It is encouraging that the majority of black men are diagnosed early enough to cure themselves, but there are far too many who are diagnosed at a late stage. Black men have a higher rate of late-stage diagnosis than white men.” Black men also have a lower likelihood of receiving NICE-approved treatment options that have been proven to be effective.

“Although there is no complete picture as to why this happens, the evidence shows the inequity when it comes time to diagnose prostate cancer. It also confirms what black men tell us about their challenges. Morgan said that now that the data is available, there’s a moral obligation to address this health-equity scandal.