One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is key to saving lives

CNN — Nate Battle said he had avoided doctor’s visits for most of his life until 2014, when his insurance company began incentivizing preventive health screenings. “That was really scary to hear.” One in six Black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to the advocacy organization ZERO Prostate Cancer. The stark racial disparity has spurred health advocates like Battle to sound the alarm and urge Black men to consider getting prostate cancer screenings. The measure would require health insurance companies to offer prostate-specific antigen screenings for Black men or men between ages 55 and 69 who have a family history of prostate cancer without co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance. Bugler said ZERO Prostate Cancer recommends that Black men start talking to their doctors about the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening at the age of 40.