Honoring Black History Month by Closing the Prostate Cancer Gap for Black Men

By Lisa A. Hall, MHA
Director, Health Equity, ZERO Prostate Cancer

Black History Month is a time to honor the resilience, leadership, and contributions of Black communities across generations. It is also a moment to confront the inequities that continue to threaten Black lives today, particularly in health outcomes. One of the most urgent and persistent of these inequities is prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer affects every community, but its impact on Black men tells a troubling story of disparity that demands action. Black men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at higher rates and are more likely to die from the disease than any other racial group. These outcomes are not inevitable and they are not acceptable.

The Disproportionate Impact on Black Men

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the United States (excluding skin cancer) and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death. In 2026 alone, an estimated 333,830 new cases and 36,320 deaths are expected nationwide. (ACS 2026 Facts and Figures Report)

For Black men, the burden is significantly higher:

• Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than White men.
• They are more than 2.1x as likely to die from the disease.
• The lifetime risk for Black men is 1 in 6, compared to 1 in 8 for men overall.
• Prostate cancer accounts for a significant portion of the nearly 34% of all cancers diagnosed among Black men.

These numbers represent more than statistics. They represent fathers, brothers, mentors, and leaders whose presence is vital to families and communities.

Understanding the Roots of Disparity

The reasons behind these outcomes are complex and deeply rooted. Genetics may contribute, but social and structural factors play a major role: limited access to high-quality care, systemic bias in healthcare delivery, barriers to early detection, and long-standing socioeconomic inequities.

Black men are less likely to be offered PSA screenings, despite evidence that early detection significantly improves outcomes. This is not just a healthcare issue it is a matter of equity and justice.

Honoring Black History Through Action

Black History Month challenges us not only to reflect, but to act. Honoring Black lives means advocating for systems that protect them. That includes:

• Promoting equitable access to prostate cancer screening and treatment
• Supporting culturally competent, patient-centered care
• Educating communities with trusted, evidence-based resources
• Eliminating delays in diagnosis and treatment
• Increasing representation of Black men in clinical research

The pursuit for health equity is part of the broader civil rights legacy. Ensuring Black men live longer, healthier lives is a continuation of that work.

Conclusion: Honor. Act. Prevent.

Black History Month reminds us of the resilience and brilliance of Black communities. National Cancer Prevention Month reminds us that prevention and early detection save lives. When we bring these commitments together, when we confront health disparities with purpose and resources, we move closer to a future where prostate cancer no longer takes Black men too soon.

Let us honor our history by shaping a healthier tomorrow.