By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Kwesi Neblett, son of Kentucky civil rights icon Charles D. Neblett, Ph.D., has introduced a new initiative aimed at encouraging Black prostate cancer survivors and patients to share their journeys on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, and Facebook. The initiative, launched in recognition of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, uses the hashtag #BlackProstateCheckChallenge to create a national conversation about prostate cancer in Black men.
The initiative is a tribute to Kwesi’s father, who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer. Its goal is to open dialogue, break stigmas, share personal experiences, and provide resources on the health equity challenges Black men face regarding prostate cancer.
“It started because my father, Charles D. Neblett, a civil rights activist and fundraiser for the civil rights movement, was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer this year, and it metastasized,” said Kwesi Neblett. “We saw this as an opportunity to raise awareness and bring prostate cancer among Black men into the national conversation.”
Kwesi’s aim is to highlight the disparities Black men face when it comes to prostate cancer. “Why is it that Black men are more affected by stage 4 prostate cancer than any other group?” Kwesi questioned. “Because of that, I started the #BlackProstateCheckChallenge to not only start the conversation but also push for actual movement toward a solution.”
To support the initiative, Kwesi Neblett has assembled a panel of expert doctors, including Dr. Clayton Yates, a John R. Lewis Professor of Pathology at Johns Hopkins University and Director of Health Disparities and Global Health Equity, along with community leaders, policymakers, and holistic health providers. Together, they are dedicated to guiding Black men through prostate cancer treatment.
Research shows Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer, with higher rates of both diagnosis and mortality. Data reveals a 38.7% mortality rate per 100,000 for Black men, compared to 18.0% for white men, and an incidence rate of 173.0% per 100,000 for Black men versus 97.1% for white men.
“Prostate cancer is an age-related disease, but African American men are 60% more likely to be diagnosed and twice as likely to die from it,” said Dr. Yates. “It’s a very treatable disease if caught early, but often, Black men present with late-stage cancer due to various factors, limiting our treatment options and resulting in higher mortality.”
One of the most pressing issues the challenge addresses is the need for Black men to have safe spaces to discuss health concerns. #BlackProstateCheckChallenge provides such a platform, encouraging open discourse about prostate cancer and giving Black men the opportunity to share their real-life experiences.
“To give Black men the platform they’ve often been denied, we launched this challenge to ensure their voices are heard,” said Kwesi. “Right now, we need to listen to what Black men as patients care about. We’ve asked doctors and policymakers to pay attention to the social media updates regarding these urgent issues.”
Dr. Yates has embraced the challenge professionally, focusing on providing research, data, and facts to educate the Black community about prostate cancer. “We need to understand the facts and the risks,” said Yates. “My goal has always been to educate the Black community on how to care for their prostate. Through research and outreach, we can get this education to the people who need it.”
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Black men in the United States are 1.76 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 2.14 times more likely to die from the disease compared to white men. Black men are also more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage, with limited access to healthcare contributing to these disparities. In 2019, 9.6% of Black men were uninsured, compared to 5.2% of non-Hispanic white men.
“Much effort has gone into screening, but not enough into supporting Black men currently battling the disease,” said Charles Neblett. “Too many Black men are passing away unnecessarily. This is an urgent issue. We want to have a voice in determining the best course of action for ourselves as individuals and for our community by discussing the effects of therapies on our genetics. Black men, especially those in areas with high health disparities, are the focus of this challenge.”
7 Myths Dispelled by the #BlackProstateCheckChallenge:
• Black men get prostate cancer just like other races. No. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer prevalence is significantly higher among Black men.
• If I have no symptoms, I don’t have prostate cancer. No. Black men are often diagnosed in later stages with more aggressive cancer, sometimes without noticeable symptoms.
• Every hospital lab has the same imaging equipment. No. Ask about the age of the radiation machines. Many men are treated with outdated, lower-energy equipment.
• There is one best way to treat prostate cancer. No. Treatment should be individualized based on genetics, health history, and lifestyle. Patients should have shared decision-making with their doctors.
• Every man should get screened as soon as possible. No. Black men have higher false-positive rates. Clinical trials haven’t sufficiently studied the effects of early screening in Black men.
• Prayer and spirituality can’t help cancer. Cancer can help patients focus on their priorities and lead to a deeper sense of purpose.
• Cancer care is covered by Medicare. No. Stage 4 prostate cancer can cost over $93,000 annually. While the Medicare for All Act was introduced in 2023, it has not yet passed.
The #BlackProstateCheckChallenge provides Black men and their families with a platform to discuss health concerns that disproportionately affect them. The initiative urges Black men to elevate their voices, share their stories, and help others understand the disparities they face.
“We need a space to hear from Black men and families who are battling this disease,” Kwesi concluded. “We want to challenge them to speak up and make a difference, as they are the ones who can best articulate the issues. We should hear it from them, directly and authentically.”