Prostate Cancer Disparity Rally Update

July 2021

"We are thankful for the leaders in Philadelphia speaking out to raise awareness about the growing prostate cancer crisis in Black America caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the estimated 30% increase in new prostate cancer cases in 2021", says

Rev. Adrian Backus, PHEN's Director of Community Outreach and Partnerships. PHEN's Disparity Rally is raising prostate cancer awareness in Philadelphia and throughout Black America, while providing online educational resources for early detection, treatments and clinical trials. Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths for Black men in the U.S.

Edith Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCPP, FRCP

Medical Oncologist and Director

Center to Eliminate Cancer Disparities at Sydney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health

Dr. Edith Mitchell and Rev. Alyn Waller can be heard speaking out on radio stations WDAS (105.3 FM) and WURD (96.1/900 AM)

Rev. Dr. Alyn Waller

Senior Pastor

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church

A new, major health initiative is underway through Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Most Worshipful Grand Master Donald C. Jones, of Pennsylvania in his acceptance speech in October, 2020, focused on prostate cancer education and awareness. The initiative is prompted by the countless stories of brothers and families within the organization that are affected by the disease.

Toward that end, on June 17, 2021, a webinar entitled “Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Yes, I Am: Let Us Talk About Something Important to Us All, Especially for Men” was presented by PHEN and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It was greatly attended by the membership and the general public of Pennsylvania. Ongoing plans with PHEN include continued educational endeavors with members and the public, PSA screening opportunities, and preparations for Prostate Cancer Awareness month in September with a celebration of its many survivors.

Hear Thomas Farrington's interview with Solomon Jones on WURD

Rev. Blane Newberry is the Associate Pastor of Exaltation at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia is partnering with teaching hospitals and cancer centers to build upon PHEN’s education and awareness efforts for Black men and their families. The 65-year-old pastor, and ten-year prostate cancer survivor, is also consulting with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania and enlisting fraternities, sororities, and other significant Black organization to provide PSA screening and other support. "Prostate cancer", he said, “changed the spectrum of my life,” making him a committed champion for uniting communities to fight the scourge of prostate cancer.

Mr. Ralph Tice is an 82-year-old Navy veteran and former civil service employee from Pensacola, FL, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago. Inspired by a presentation by PHEN’s Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education, Keith Crawford, MD, Tice and an enthusiastic group of men established the support group called “Brother to Brother” (B2B). These founding members already participated in support meetings hosted by local hospitals, but they formed B2B because of the underrepresentation of Black men. B2B seeks to provide a safe space for Black men to share information about their own prostate cancer journeys. Tice says the group does not give recommendations for specific treatments or doctors but works to arm men with accurate information and produce questions to discuss with their physicians concerning their diagnosis and treatment. “Doctors treat you differently if you know what you are talking about”, says Tice.

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