A Black Man's Guide to Free Prostate Cancer Screenings, Resource Tools and More

 

September is officially Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Here's a listing of free screenings occurring throughout metro Atlanta. For those outside of the area, conduct a Google search seeking free screenings in your area. 

Screenings ages differ for other groups. Most media sources aren't accurately accounting for Black men when they note this community should begin screenings at ages 45 or 50. Heed the recommendations in this guide. The ages noted in this guide is based on evidence and supporting research of Black men who acquired the disease well before the age of 45.

Moreover, for those recently diagnosed or those in the midst of fighting the disease, this guide contains educational and financial resource tools.

Furthermore, this guide is also useful for loved ones, caretakers, doctors, family, friends and those who are yearning to have more insights about the silent disease and its impact with Black men.

Factoids: Black Men and Prostate Cancer

1 out of 5 Black men will be diagnosed with this silent disease during their lifetime. This disease affects Black men at a higher rate than another group. 

If you're a Black man, annual screenings should begin at age 40. If there is a family history with the disease, annual screenings should begin at age 35. R. Frank Jones Urological Society

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: 'Auto Trends' Talks Candidly with a Black Female Urologist

Dr. Linda McIntire (Photo Credit: LM)

According to the American Urological Association, approximately 1.8 percent of today's urologist are Black. Black men over index in terms of being diagnosed and dying of prostate cancer compared to other groups. 

In fact, one in five Black men will develop prostate cancer in his lifetime. Unfortunately unlike with other groups, Black men will be hard pressed to locate a urologist from their community to aid in treating this silent disease.  

As we wind down National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the longest running multicultural syndicated automotive program in North America, talks one-on-one for the first time with a urologist. Just like in the auto industry where it’s difficult to find a Black-owned new car dealership, it’s also the same in terms of locating a Black urologist.

'Auto Trends' Talks To A Former Professional Athlete Who Is Galvanizing Black Men Around Prostate Cancer

Kris Bennett is a national prostate cancer foot soldier. (photo credit: ZC)

 

Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only syndicated multicultural automotive program in North America, is kicking off its 8th radio season, focusing on a life changing disease that has personally impacted the host of the program, Jeff Fortson, an 11-year prostate cancer survivor.  

With September being Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Kris Bennett, a former professional athlete, joins us for a one-on-one conversation. At an early age, Bennett, who is currently working on his third master's degree, knew his skills would go beyond being a star on the court. While his dreams of balling in the NBA were dashed, Bennett knew he could exert the same physical energy and mental astuteness he exuded on the courts overseas, galvanizing Black men around health, more specifically prostate cancer.

'Auto Trends' Kicks Off 7th Season Talking Black Men And Prostate Cancer

To kick off Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, a syndicated multicultural automotive program, seventh season on the air, we're switching gears this week from focusing on cars to directing our attention to a disease that affects Black men disproportionately - prostate cancer.

According to the latest data, 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, during their lifetime, as compared to 1 in 8 White men. More importantly, this high risk population is twice as likely to die from the disease, as opposed to other groups.

'Auto Trends' Spotlights Four Black Men Ages 37 To 55 And Their Personal Journey With Prostate Cancer

Auto Trends with Jeff Cars.com kicks off its sixth season on the airways this weekend, discussing Black men and the silent disease known as prostate cancer. Being that September is officially deemed as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Auto Trends with JeffCars.com is veering away from its normal automotive conversations to focus on the journey of four Black men, including the host, whom were all stricken with the disease well below the average age of 66.

'Auto Trends' Brings Awareness This Weekend To Prostate Cancer With Black Men Under 50

To enlarge, click on the image.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Black men are impacted by this disease, at a higher rate than any other group. Typically, prostate cancer is only associated with older men being that the average age to acquire the disease is around 66 or 67 years of age. To hear this impactful, educational show, with two Black men, who acquired and survived the disease, before the age of 50, click here to ride alone and tune in.  The program is available on SiriusXM and several free online outlets.

SiriusXM 'Auto Trends' Talks Two A Two Time Cancer Survivor With A Broken Marriage Became A Pioneering LatinX Female Auto Dealer

Entrepreneur and Cancer Survivor Marion Luna Bream (photo credit: MLB)

Trailblazer Marion Luna Brem joins Auto Trends with JeffCars.com to share how she took control of her life after a series of unexpectd events literally through a wrench in her plans, causing her to lose her self esteem. Brem, who has authored two motivational books, found herself breaking barriers in a field that has not been welcoming to women, more specifically women of color. She is one of a few Hispanic women who has managed to shatter the dealership ceiling -- becoming an automobile dealer. In fact, she owns two dealerships in South Texas and has been one of a handful of women to be recognized by the Automotive Hall of Fame, the highest honor one can receive in the car industry.

Black History Spotlight: Hyundai's Zafar Brooks Impacting Childhood Cancer

Who: Zafar Brooks

Education: Fisk University (HBCU)

What: The first African American Director to be hired at Hyundai.

When: Joined in 2005. This year is his 10th anniversary.

Current Position: Director of General Affairs (Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity & Inclusion)

Major Accomplishment: Brooks set up the Hyundai Hope On Wheels non-profit organization.  Brooks lead the effort daily.  Under his watch, the program has grown from $8 million in from the years of 1998 to 2006 to well over $100 million today. The money has gone directly to fund pediatric cancer research. Brooks has also created the company’s September Childhood Cancer Awareness campaign, which is designed to generate public awareness about the importance of the disease.

Editor's Commentary: Beyond Sports, Stuart Scott Placed A Face On Cancer For Young Black Men

 

It seems as though many of us have been affected by the sudden passing of Stuart Scott for a variety of reasons. Yes, he changed the way sports was delivered on a national level to the multicultural community. And yes, he showed his endearing love for family, especially with his girls. But foremost, he put a face on cancer for young black man, serving as our ambassador. Cancer is often seen as a disease for the elders. While I know that was probably not Stuart's intent, that is exactly what he did for young brothers who are drafted into the small niche community as cancer patients, cancer survivors and/or caretakers. Personally, within a few weeks after realizing I could no longer avoid having a biopsy because of my continuous unresolved symptoms, I was feverishly seeking out young brothers who had traveled this road. Fortunately, I found another brother who also happened to be in the field of sports, who served as one of my Guardian Angles.  This literally made the road down uncharted territory so much easier to plow trough. 

So, upon learning Stuart was in the third round of battling cancer, I was personally tracking his journey, since he had become so public, giving the world a peek on how he was literally fighting the disease, again. I was pulling for him, especially after being forced to walk in his shoes. And because of Stuart's candor, I have used his 2014 interview with Robin Roberts and his ESPY acceptance speech from the Jimmy V foundation, as encouragement for those recently diagnosed (or for those in their second round), as a guide on how to battle the disease, while also

Chevy Purple Profile Campaign Benefits Cancer Survivors Like JeffCars.com's Editor

According to the folks at Chevy, more than 1 million people have purpled their profiles in support of World Cancer Day, making Chevrolet’s $1 million contribution to the American Cancer Society a reality. The contribution will help ensure cancer patients and their families have access to needed services like transportation to and from cancer treatment or a free place to stay while receiving treatment away from home.

The Purple Roads initiati