Prostate cancer remains a critical health threat, particularly for African American men who face a disproportionate risk. According to the American Cancer Society, they are twice as likely to be diagnosed in their early 50s and often encounter more aggressive forms. Despite this, many remain unaware of their risks. Dr. Jonathan W. Simons warns, “It is a serial killer. It doesn’t have to be but you have to be checked.”
The disease is notoriously difficult to detect because it often presents no early symptoms, failing to push against nerves that cause pain. Current research, such as the RESPOND study, aims to investigate whether this disparity is driven by genetics or environmental factors like geography and stress. Colleen McKenna notes, “The fast food and the stress ignites a gene that’s predisposed to cancer.”
To combat this, experts advocate for a mix of western science and holistic lifestyle changes. Recommendations include a diet rich in vegetables and green tea, alongside vigorous exercise that induces sweating. The ultimate goal is medical equity, as the foundation states, “Until the death rates for African Americans and Caucasians have the same death rate… we have not fulfilled all of our responsibilities.”