As part of the 98th General Convention and 119th Anniversary Convention of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Black Health Matters, Astellas, and ZERO Prostate Cancer hosted a powerful event to educate the organization’s health chairs and community advocates about prostate cancer, from prevention through diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Langston D. Smith, DMD, MS, MHED (above), the Deputy Surgeon General for Dental Health, offered opening and closing remarks for the evening.
Early Prostate Cancer Detection Can Save Your Life
ZERO Prostate Cancer Chief Mission Officer, Brian Bragg, provided an Overview of prostate cancer and its impact on Black men.
- Black men are 1.7x more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
- Because they are often diagnosed later, Black men are 2.1x more likely to die from prostate cancer than white men.
When Should You Get Screened?
Bragg told attendees that their screening needs will primarily depend on their family and/health history. He encouraged the brothers to take charge of their health by visiting this link to assess their risks. Then discuss their concerns with their primary care doctor about when an initial PSA screening would be appropriate. For those who have a family history, screening may begin at age 40.
Partner With Your HCP For More Positive Outcomes
Michael Daniels, MD, a board-certified urologic surgeon who leads Germantown Urology in Germantown, PA, provided an encouraging keynote talk. He told the Alpha brothers they needed to use their voices at their doctor appointments. They had to work in partnership with their HCPs when it came to making treatment decisions and exploring experimental treatments (e.g., intensification/combination therapy). These options may not always be offered, but speaking up and pursuing treatments that give Black men the best outcomes can help.
Why Prostate Cancer Screenings Are Critical
Dr. Daniels also provided a quick overview of the prostate, stating that symptoms of prostate cancer are rarely experienced before cancer is advanced, thus supporting prevention and annual screenings.
Preventing Prostate Cancer With Healthier Lifestyle Choices
Dr. Daniels is an advocate of plant-based or plant-heavy eating, while avoiding processed foods, sugar, and alcohol. He reminded the audience that smoking is a cause or contributing cause for most cancers.
In addition to mentioning treatment options and recent advancements (this is not your father’s prostate cancer), Dr. Daniels emphasized the importance of listening to your doctor.
Resources for Education and Empowerment
Astellas Oncology contributed printed materials to help attendees better understand their health:
- “Understanding Rising PSA After Surgery and/or Radiation”
- “Know Your Prostate Plan”
- These brochures, filled with accessible, actionable information, helped reinforce the event’s core messages.
Post-Dinner Discussions
Post-dinner Table discussions were designed to explore the role Alpha Phi Alpha chapters can have in creating more awareness about prostate cancer and the risk to black men. Some discussed offered ideas, including chapters hosting or partnering for monthly health discussions at the chapter level, with a mention of “medical triage” to discuss health-related issues.
They also discussed ways to increase access to free PSA screenings. There was also a suggestion that chapters obtain information about health fairs and screening opportunities in the community and share that information with their brothers.
Doing your research and having an action plan were encouraged by some brothers. Personal stories were shared, including some regarding switching doctors when a doctor doesn’t express adequate concern over elevating PSA numbers.
When You Have a Family History of Prostate Cancer, You May Do Things Differently.
The idea of watch and wait isn’t appropriate for young men or those with a family history of prostate cancer, according to the opinion of some brothers whose families have been impacted and successfully treated with prostate cancer. One specifically mentioned his 92-year-old father, and both he and his father are doing well and are cancer-free post-treatments.
Conclusion
Health Equity Starts with Conversations. This dinner and discussion went beyond raising awareness—it lit a fire. By bringing together expert voices, resources, and the lived experiences of Black men, the event underscored that prostate cancer doesn’t have to be a silent killer. When Black men are equipped with knowledge, empowered to speak up, and supported by their communities, outcomes improve—and lives are saved.
