BACKGROUND:Recommendations for cancer screening are uncertain for the early detection or prevention of prostate cancer in African American men. Thus, chemoprevention strategies are needed to specifically target African American men. METHODS:The evidence was examined on the biological etiology of disparities in African Americans related to prostate cancer. Possible chemopreventive agents and biomarkers critical to prostate cancer in African American men were also studied. RESULTS:High-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia may be more prevalent in African American men, even after controlling for age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, abnormal results on digital rectal examination, and prostate volume. Prostate cancer in African American men can lead to the overexpression of signaling receptors that may mediate increased proliferation, angiogenesis, and decreased apoptosis. Use of chemopreventive agents may be useful for select populations of men. CONCLUSIONS:Green tea catechins are able to target multiple pathways to address the underlying biology of prostate carcinogenesis in African American men, so they may be ideal as a chemoprevention agent in these men diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.