Special Health Tips for African Americans

Provided by: Barnes Jewish Hospital

For Prostate Cancer

Statistics:

• Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America.
• African-American men are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than Caucasian-Americans and are more than twice as likely to die from it.
• The chance of having prostate cancer increases rapidly after age 50.
• More than 70% of all prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over the age of 65.
• Men who are overweight or obese are at significantly higher risk for developing prostate cancer.

Prevention Tips:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables that contain key sources of cancer-fighting agents, such as lycopene, antioxidants and fiber.
• Eat fewer red meats and high-fat dairy products.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a normal weight.
• Talk to your doctor and get screened for prostate cancer: prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and the digital rectal exam (DRE).

Call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627 for a free prostate cancer awareness kit.

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Colorectal Cancer

Statistics:

• Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among African-Americans.
• African-Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages when there are fewer treatment options available.
•  Experts suggest that African Americans get screened beginning at age 45.

Prevention Tips:

Recommended screening tests:

• A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
• Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
• Colonoscopy every 10 years

Visit www.BarnesJewish.org and take a free online colorectal risk assessment
Call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627 for a free colon cancer awareness kit.

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Diabetes

Statistics:

• Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
• Diabetes affects 20.8 million people or 7% of the population.
• 14.6 million people have been diagnosed.
• 6.2 million people are living with diabetes but are undiagnosed.
• 41 million people are pre-diabetes.
• Almost 3 million African-Americans have diabetes and are twice as likely as non-Hispanic Caucasians to have diabetes.

Prevention Tips:

• Get screened: visit your healthcare provider to conduct a Fasting Plasma Glucose Test (FPG) or an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
• When managing your diabetes, remember to do the following:
• Eat right and exercise regularly.
• Get a dilated eye exam every year.
• Have your blood pressure checked at every doctor’s visit. Try to keep your blood pressure under 130/80.
• Get a blood cholesterol check at least once a year.
• Get a complete foot exam at least once a year.
• Check your feet every day. Look for foot problems before they get serious.

Visit www.BarnesJewish.org and take a free online diabetes risk assessment.
Call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627 for a free diabetes awareness kit.
Visit www.BarnesJewish.org to sign up for the monthly online diabetes e-newsletter.

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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Statistics:

• 35% of African-Americans have hypertension, which accounts for 20% of the African-American deaths in the United States - twice the percentage of deaths among Caucasians from hypertension.
• African-Americans with high blood pressure have an 80% higher chance of dying from a stroke than in the general population.
• African-Americans with high blood pressure have a 20% higher chance of developing heart disease than in the general population.

Prevention Tips:

• Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year – at a doctor’s office, a neighborhood clinic, health fair or at a shopping mall.
• Keep your blood pressure below 135/85 mm Hg.
• Choose foods lower in fat and calories - eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Cook foods by broiling, grilling or boiling rather than frying. Eat less salt in both foods you cook and prepared foods you buy. If you plan to lose weight, try to lose it slowly, about one half to one pound per week.
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Cut back on alcoholic beverages.
• Stop smoking.

Visit www.BarnesJewish.org and take a free online heart risk assessment.
Call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll-free 866-867-3627 for a free heart health kit.

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