Because of the existing barriers to appropriate care, prostate cancer offers the social worker many opportunities to provide primary care interventions and educational programs.
Many men comply poorly with recommended annual rectal examinations to detect prostate cancer.
This study infers that the poorer prognosis is due to environmental differences between the two races. Men may be discouraged from seeking care for symptoms because of the expense of physical examinations and screening blood tests and ultrasound studies. Social workers with hospitals or agencies which serve elderly African American men are a natural vehicle for education on prostate cancer. Annual prostate cancer screening promotions by hospitals and the American Cancer Society are ideal opportunities for social workers to assist in access issues.