ZERO ® – ADVANCED PROSTATE CANCER NEWS
WINTER 2023/2024
BLACK MEN’S PROSTATE CANCER INITIATIVE
ZERO
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their communities with prostate cancer education, resources, and support. The BMPCI also serves as a vehicle to help introduce communities to ZERO and give ZERO the opportunity to prove itself as a trusted partner in the fight to end prostate cancer for all. Over the last year, the BMPCI has seen tremendous growth with the implementation of support groups, both virtually and in-person in Atlanta, that are specifically for Black men diagnosed with prostate cancer. There have also been numerous podcasts on many subjects critical to Black men and their communities. We are busy planning our next Health Equity Symposium in June 2024. We have hosted over 13 editions of our “Prostate Cancer in the Black Community” film series, which has reached nearly 1,000 people since its inception in late 2022. And finally, through our work with dedicated partners, we’ve seen 370+ men receive a PSA test and linked to ZERO resources as well as a medical home. We’re excited to continue our work and scale our efforts to more communities. For more information on the BMPCI and other updates, visit: https://zerocancer. org/black-men/prostate-cancer-initiative .
eliminating in prostate cancer and ending prostate cancer for all. We work to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive prostate cancer, regardless of race, the financial resources one has or has access to, or where one lives. We unfortunately still see the most evident disparities in prostate cancer experienced
Kris Bennett ZERO Director, Health Equity, Community Organizing and Engagement
by Black men. Black men are 1.7 times more likely to get prostate cancer, often with a more advanced stage of the disease and higher PSA number, and are 2.1 times more likely to die from prostate cancer when compared to their White counterparts. To address this disparity and work towards achieving true health equity, ZERO has continued its work through the Black Men’s Prostate Cancer Initiative (BMPCI). This initiative provides Black men, their families, and
VETERANS UPDATE
A year ago, we launched our Veterans Advisory Board (VAB), composed of a highly motivated group of Veterans committed to helping find solutions for the issues Veterans with prostate cancer face. 1 in 5 Veterans are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making Veterans a group at highest risk for prostate cancer in the United States. Over the past year, the VAB advised ZERO on a complete revamp of the Veterans 101 pamphlet , helping to create a product that is unique to Veterans and helping readers understand their risk and unique options for care. VAB members have also been working hard to disseminate information about prostate cancer to other Veterans in their communities by visiting local Veteran health facilities and attending events. On the advocacy front, President Biden signed legislation in December of 2022 establishing a clinical pathway for prostate cancer within the Veterans Health Administration, the first step to ensuring that all Veterans have access to high-quality, evidence-based prostate cancer
Ali Manson ZERO Vice President, Government Relations and Advocacy
care when they need it, no matter where they live. ZERO has been working closely with the VA to ensure that implementation of that pathway is patient-centric and comprehensive, beginning with prostate cancer education and screening, and running through advanced disease treatment and survivorship. To help inform the process, ZERO facilitated two discussions between VA personnel and Veterans, exploring ways the VA can improve healthcare for Veterans with prostate cancer. We’ll continue to work with the VA and other partners and look forward to the enactment of the pathway at the end of the year.
Go to zerocancer.org/veterans to learn more about ZERO’s efforts to help Veterans with prostate cancer.
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