The inequities that exist in prostate cancer access and outcomes are dire, especially for Black men. As part of a special Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Q&A, Brian Bragg, ZERO’s chief mission officer, talks about prostate cancer, health equity, and ZERO’s bold goal to make prostate cancer screenings accessible for all.
Brian Bragg
Chief Mission Officer, ZERO Prostate Cancer
How are Black men disproportionately affected by prostate cancer?
After decades of working at one of the largest federally qualified health centers in the country, I’ve seen firsthand the impacts of health disparities. At the highest risk, data shows that Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. Black men are also more likely than white men to be diagnosed with advanced disease. One in six Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared with 1 in 8 men overall. The urgency for Black men is clear and cannot be ignored.
The numbers are alarming. What’s being done to change them?
Detecting prostate cancer early is vital to beating this disease. Eliminating barriers to early detection is one of ZERO‘s top legislative priorities. We champion the PSA Screening for Him Act, which would remove cost-sharing requirements for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screenings for high-risk individuals. At the state level, ZERO leads the charge to connect with legislatures and introduce legislation to eliminate cost-sharing for prostate cancer screening. Our bold goal is to make screening free in 25 states by 2030.
Why is the message, “Early detection saves lives” so important?
The prostate cancer survival rate is nearly 100% if caught early. That’s why people at the highest risk must have access to the necessary tools to detect prostate cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. When men face barriers to prostate cancer screening, it increases their risk for diagnosis with advanced disease, and that’s simply unacceptable.
What’s being done to raise the urgency around prostate cancer?
With prostate cancer cases on the rise, and as a Black man who is at higher risk for the disease, I feel a shared sense of urgency to dismantle barriers, empower communities, and pave the way for better and more sustainable approaches to interventions that address prostate health and ultimately end prostate cancer. Investing in early detection measures, community outreach, and advancing access to quality care for all are critical steps to saving and extending more lives. ZERO is making this a priority through our advocacy and educational efforts.
What can our readers do to lower their risk?
Talk about the risks for prostate cancer. Awareness is key, so discuss your family health history with your loved ones. Understand your personal risk factors and make an appointment with your doctor to understand when prostate screening is right for you.
Together, we can move toward a world in which we have zero stigma around talking about prostate cancer, zero barriers to screenings and care, and ultimately zero deaths from this disease.
