A Man Is Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer Every Two Minutes - Know your PSA!
Giving back to the community through prostate cancer education and shared experiences.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Navigating your Prostate Health
The month of September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month. As a black man, we are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates in 2026 alone, 333,830 new cases prostate cancer cases and 36,320 deaths. As a black man, there is a 1 in 6 chance you will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. If you have a family history, there is a 1 in 4 chance you will be diagnosed. Here are some facts to consider when it comes to your prostate health:
The Core Disparity
· High Rates: Prostate cancer makes up about 44% of all cancer diagnoses in Black men.
· Late Diagnosis: Many men find out too late because early stages have no warning signs.
· Survival Gap: Black men die from this disease at 2.1 times the rate of white men.
Screening and Prevention
· The PSA Test: A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood draw that checks for early warning signs.
· When to Start: Doctors suggest Black men talk to a primary care provider about screening starting at age 45, or age 40if there is a family history.
· Open Talks: Families should talk openly about health history to catch risks early.
Top 10 Prostate-Healthy Foods
· Tomatoes: Packed with lycopene, which protects cells and may lower prostate cancer risk. Cooked or paste forms release more lycopene.
· Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and kale contain sulforaphane, a compound that fights harmful cell changes.
· Fatty Fish: Salmon, sardines, and trout supply omega-3 fatty acids that reduce swelling and body inflammation.
· Berries:
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries offer high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants to clear out free radicals.
· Pumpkin Seeds: Rich in zinc, a mineral concentrated in high amounts within a healthy prostate gland.
· Green Tea: Contains powerful plant compounds called catechins that support immune health and slow abnormal cell growth.
· Pomegranate: Loaded with polyphenols and ellagitannins, which act as strong antioxidants to nourish the gland.
· Brazil Nuts: A top dietary source of selenium, an important trace mineral linked to lower prostate risks.
· Beans and Lentils: Provide plant-based protein and fiber to help manage weight and balance hormones.
· Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, and whole-wheat options support steady energy and help prevent excess weight gain
Prostate cancer is the number 2 silent killer of men in the US. Taking control of your prostate health begins with knowing and tracking your prostate specific antigen (PSA) numbers annually to monitor changes in your reading. The PSA screening is a simple blood test that takes about 5-minutes. Since 75% of men diagnosed are asymptomatic, taking the PSA test may save your life. If your PSA is greater than 4, this is reason for concern and to seek a urologist.
As a person who comes from three-generations of prostate cancer and two-generations of survivors, I was intent on tracking my PSA 15-years (began at age 38) before my cancer diagnosis. And now I’m living a heathy quality-of-life as a resilience survivor/advocate/ speaker with the nonprofit - Prostate Health Matters (PHM). PHM helps men move pass fear, silence, and delay in acting and taking control in understanding their prostate health before a cancer diagnosis. The PHM awareness message is shared through interactive educational workshops, shared survivor stories, and community engagement/outreach through workplaces and local organizations.
For more information on prostate health/cancer/awareness, please visit any of the links below:
*Life after prostate cancer – https://ProstateHealthMatters.org
*Prostate Cancer Foundation – https://pcf.org
*Zero Cancer - https://zerocancer.org/black-men/prostate-cancer-initiative
*American Cancer Society - https://www.fightcancer.org/policy-resources/black-men-and-prostate-cancer-0
Thank you.
Derrick A. Butts - Prostate Cancer Resilience Advocate/Survivor/Speaker
Board President & Co-founder
Prostate Health Matters
Two generations of prostate cancer survivors – Thomas A Butts, Jr (32-yrs) & Derrick A Butts (10-yrs
Proof of Prostate Health Matters Message Saving Lives...
Black Men Face Higher Prostate Cancer Risks — Early Detection Is Essential
Over the past six-years, Prostate Health Matters has found that the majority of men who attend one of our interactive prostate health awareness sessions, will take action to get their PSA done. They find out their PSA is high and after a biopsy. About 1.5% of the men who attend our interactive awareness sessions will find they've been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Although they were asymptomatic, they caught the cancer early and had multiple treatment options to consider for their cancer treatment and for a quality of life post-treatment. Eddie Baynes was fortunate to catch his cancer diagnosis early and is sharing his story.
Please read his prostate cancer survivor's journey published by MSK.
Make a donation to Prostate Health Matters
Supporting Prostate Health Matters HAS Meant Supporting Your Community
Over our last 6-year journey of outreach excellence, we have reached over 5,100 lives in nine states and families through our events and supported more than 600 PSA screenings in five states. With your help we will extend our outreach to help 5000 more men in 2026 & 2027.
Please help us continue our prostate health matters outreach mission to help men understand their prostate health before, during, and after the cancer diagnosis and successful treatment. Prostate Health Matters (Formerly - Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance (PCAA)) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Tax EIN: 85-2710188
You may may make a donation via Zelle (info@prostatehealthmatters.org), click the - Banner at the top of this page, or Make a check out Prostate Health Matters/PCAA and mail to:
Prostate Health Matters
c/o Derrick A Butts
712 H St NE, Suite 1414
Washington, DC 20002
Please share this message with anyone who may be starting their prostate cancer journey or who wants to make a difference in the health of their community.
Thank you for your time and support.
Derrick A Butts - 10-Year Prostate Cancer Resilience Advocate/Survivor/Speaker
President & Co-Founder
Prostate Health Matters
Become a Sponsor
As a sponsor of Prostate Health Matters, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on prostate health awareness and education in the underserved communities and the lives of those we empower.
As a small nonprofit, we rely on donations and sponsorship to keep our outreach programs going. Your support—no matter the amount—helps us reach more men, provide more screenings, and share more life-saving information.
Every tax-deductible donation today helps us continue our prostate health matters outreach mission to help men and their families get a GRIP on Prostate Cancer.
Prior Prostate Health Resilience and Cancer Events
June 13th -DREF Silence Isn't Strong
A powerful virtual conversation about Black men's health - mind, body, and spirit!
Location: Virtual
Registration Link: https://bit.ly/AOU_Men2026
Time: 3:00 - 5:00pm
June 19th - 100 BlacK MEN of America National ConfereNCE - NYC
Prostate Health Matters - Derrick A. Butts will be a keynote panelist during national prostate health portion of the conference. Derrick will discuss his prostate health resilience journey as a three-generational prostate cancer resilience survivor. And the importance for men to begin tracking their PSA early to understand your prostate health before a cancer diagnosis.
Friday, June 19, 2026 at 10:30 - 11:30 am.
Make a difference in PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS EFFORTS
A man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every two minutes.
Will you or a loved one be next?
Prostate Health Matters (PHM) is a 501(c)(3) organization reaching over 4,700 men and supporting over 540 prostate cancer screenings since 2020. Please donate to help us save lives through our awareness and education efforts.
(32yr & 10yr survivors - Two GENs)
Tax EIN: 85-2710188
PHM Testified on DC Bill for Free Prostate Cancer Screening
DC Mayor Signs Bill
Washington, DC, October 29, 2024 - DC Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law legislation B25-299, also known as the Cost-Free Coverage for Prostate Cancer Screening Amendment Act, to the DC Council. On September 28, 2023, Prostate Health Matters (formerly Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance-DMV) testified in a public hearing on behalf of legislation for B25-299.
The bill amends the Prostate Cancer Screening Insurance Coverage Requirement Act of 2002 to provide cost-free coverage of one prostate-specific antigen test and digital rectal exam per year and prohibit any health insurer from imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement for prostate cancer screening.
PHM also pushed for the screening age to be 40 versus 50. This is significant as most black men have a higher incident rate of 2:1 when diagnosed with prostate cancer. Men with a family history will most likely see a cancer diagnosis in their early 40’s. Early detection is the key to catching cancer early and living a quality life after a successful cancer treatment.
We are pleased this bill has been signed by Mayor Bowser and for PHM to have been an advocate for getting the bill passed. This bill will go into effect in early 2025.
Washington, D.C. joins Delaware, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island in passing similar legislation initiatives that reinforce the importance of accessible preventive care in combating prostate cancer. We have more work to do with other states to pass similar legislation.
Prostate Health Matters Values
Get a G.R.I.P. on Prostate Cancer
• Grassroots - to meet men where they are in their prostate journey
• Relevance – to provide education and awareness at the right time
• Integrity – to provide honest and truthful evidence-based information to impact your care and well-being
• Proactivity – to create a sense of urgency to act and understand a prostate cancer survivor's life - before, during, and after treatment
Four Generations - Three generations of prostate cancer - two generations of cancer survivors