Recorded presentation

John Futch¹, Virginia Diane Woods, DrPH Candidate², and Susanne B. Montgomery, PhD, MPH². (1) Development Officer for Special Initiatives in the President's Office, California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA 92407, (909) 880-7204, jfutch@csusb.edu, (2) Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, 10970 Parkland Street, Loma Linda, CA 92350

National statistics indicate that the US average age-adjusted mortality is 72.8/100,000 for Black males and 31.2 for White males. Black males often present with later staging and more progressive pathology and die younger than their White counterparts. Higher mortality has been associated with late detection. Traditional measures of socioeconomic status and insurance availability do not account for these differences. While all males are somewhat disconnected from the healthcare system, the lack of cultural acceptance has been found to be a significant determinant of this disconnectedness for the Black male. While this perspective is gaining more general acceptance, it is imperative to take into account the experiences of those affected. At 47 years old, a Black male professional recounts his battle with prostate cancer. He will share his initial response of denial, frustrations with culturally inappropriate treatment, lack of information given to him regarding decision making about surgery and possible consequences, puzzling task of navigating the healthcare system, emotional trauma of unwarranted side effects, and support of his wife and fraternity brothers. This unique perspective from a man who is a coordinator of special initiatives for a large Southern California University offers insights to challenges most Black men encounter and offers realistic solutions to decreasing existing barriers. Only if the healthcare system takes a more realistic but aggressive outreach approach to Black men can we expect to decrease death and disabilities caused by prostate cancer in this population.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Articulate the importance of African American culture in reaching out to Black males and thus decrease existing health disparities.
• Describe at least three (3)experiences encountered by a Black prostate cancer survivor and subsequent suggestions for changes in the healthcare system approach to targeting African American men

Keywords: African American, Cancer Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation