Knowledge that prostate cancer risk is higher in Black men goes back decades. However, the U.S. healthcare system is yet to close the gap in outcomes, with Black men still more than twice as likely to die from the disease as their white counterparts are.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) wants that to change—and has kicked off a multifront campaign involving the Atlanta Hawks and Chris Tucker.
The data clearly show the problem. One in 6 Black men will develop prostate cancer, compared to 1 in 8 white men, and the disease often hits them earlier in life as well as more aggressively. The result? Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer.
It is unclear why prostate cancer risk varies by race and ethnicity, but the PCF is certain about what Black men can do to increase their chances of surviving the disease. The nonprofit has launched its yearlong “Black Men: Know Your Risk” campaign that includes a 30-second public service announcement featuring TV host Steve Harvey, radio host Charlamagne tha God and stand-up comedians and actors Cedric the Entertainer and Chris Tucker.
Talking straight to the camera, Harvey leads off the ad with a summary of the data on prostate cancer risk in Black men before Charlamagne adds that “health equity is a critical issue for our community.” Tucker sums up the campaign, saying “knowledge is power, know your risks,” before Harvey closes out the spot by encouraging viewers to visit the PCF website to educate themselves about their prostate cancer risk.
On the “Know Your Risk” page, the PCF features a list of actions people can take such as discussing cancer risk with their family, talking to their doctors about screening starting at age 40 and making lifestyle changes involving exercise and diet. The page also encourages Black men to consider enrolling in a clinical trial or research registry and joining the PCF support group on Facebook.
The PCF has created a free awareness kit that individuals can order and provided a simple prostate cancer screening quiz that tells people to start discussing screening with their doctors at ages 40 or 45, depending on the information they enter.
This month, “Know Your Risk” is running in parallel to the PCF’s fifth annual Black History Month Assist Challenge. As in earlier years, the PCF has teamed up with the Atlanta Hawks basketball team for the challenge.
During February, which is Black History Month in the U.S., the Hawks Foundation will donate $250 to the PCF for every assist registered by the Hawks. The public service announcement is running at the Hawks’ arena ahead of every home game this month.
Manufacturers of prostate cancer drugs are also working to increase awareness among Black men. Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Oncology’s Blue Jacket Fashion Show is focused on Black men, and spots by AstraZeneca, Merck & Co. and Ipsen in recent years have also paid particular attention to the community.