Prostate Cancer Awareness: A Call to Action for Our Brothers, Fathers, and Sons

Dr. Frederick Echols urges Black men to get tested early and often for Prostate Cancer.

As a Black male physician and public health professional, I’ve had the privilege of caring for men from all walks of life. I’ve also had the heartbreak of seeing lives cut short by diseases that could have been caught earlier, or even prevented. Prostate cancer is one of those diseases. It is a health challenge that we, as men, too often ignore until it is too late.

This article is not about fear; it is about awareness, action, and love. Because taking care of our health is not only about protecting ourselves, it is about being present for the people who depend on us. Remember, the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is our presence.

The Facts

Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of death in men in the United States (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2025). It begins in the prostate gland, a small organ that helps produce semen. While many prostate cancers grow slowly, others can be aggressive and life-threatening.

Here’s what we know:

Risk increases with age. Most cases occur in men over 50 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022).

Race matters. Black men are about 70% more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from it compared to white men (Rebbeck, 2017).

Family history plays a role. Having a father, brother, or son with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk (CDC, 2022).

These statistics are not just numbers. They represent fathers who will not walk their daughters down the aisle, brothers who will not see another birthday, and sons whose lives will be cut short.

Why Screening Matters

One of the most important tools we have is screening. Screening does not prevent prostate cancer, but it can help detect it early, when treatment is most effective.

The most common screening tests is the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a blood test that measures levels of PSA, a protein made by the prostate.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men aged 55–69 talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of PSA screening (USPSTF, 2018). For Black men, or those with a family history of prostate cancer, many experts suggest starting that conversation earlier, sometimes as early as age 40.

Break the Silence

Too often, men—especially Black men—avoid talking about health. We may feel it is a sign of weakness to admit something is wrong, or we may carry mistrust of the healthcare system rooted in real, painful history. But silence can be deadly.

Every conversation we avoid is a missed opportunity to protect ourselves and the people we love. Having an open dialogue with your doctor, your partner, or your children about health is not weakness—it is strength. It shows love, responsibility, and courage.

What We Can Do Today

Know your family history. Ask relatives if prostate or other cancers run in the family.

Talk with your doctor. If you are 40 or older and Black, or 50 and older for all men, ask about prostate cancer screening.

Encourage loved ones. Remind your brothers, friends, and coworkers to take their health seriously.

Live healthier. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking all lower the risk of cancer and improve overall health (ACS, 2025).

Protecting Our Legacy

Prostate cancer awareness is not only about surviving; it is about thriving. It is about making sure we are here to raise our children, support our partners, and guide the next generation.

As men, we often pride ourselves on being providers and protectors. But the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is our presence. Getting screened and having honest conversations about health is not just a medical decision, it is a declaration of love.

Brothers, let us commit today to break the silence, to learn our risks, and to take action. Because our lives matter. Our futures matter. And the people who love us deserve to have us around for years to come.

References

American Cancer Society. (2025). Key statistics for prostate cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?

Rebbeck, T. R. (2017). Prostate cancer disparities by race and ethnicity: From nucleotide to neighborhood. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine, 8(9), a030387.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2018). Screening for prostate cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA, 319(18), 1901–1913.

Dr. Frederick Echols, MD, is available as a subject matter expert on public health for press interviews and speaking engagements.

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About Dr. Fredrick Echols, MD

Dr. Fredrick L. Echols, MD is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting, LLC, an Obama Foundation Global Leader, sought-after public speaker, black men’s health advocate, and accomplished physician with over 15 years of experience in public health. He has worked extensively with public and private sectors to address complex health issues through evidence-informed approaches. Dr. Echols is a graduate of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Population Health Training in Place program and the ASTHO-Morehouse School of Medicine’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.

Passionate about health and justice, Dr . Echols’ notable roles include serving as Chief Executive Officer for Cure Violence Global, Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis, and Director of Communicable Disease and Emergency Preparedness for the St. Louis County Department of Public Health. In these roles, he oversaw public health regulations, led COVID-19 response efforts, managed daily operations, and developed strategic partnerships. Dr. Echols also served as Chief of Communicable Diseases for the Illinois Department of Public Health and as a physician in the U.S. Navy. He continues to contribute to public health research and guides health organizations globally.