GET THE FACTS ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER

Come join “P.E.P. Talks” in the Barbershop:
Prostate Education Project And decide if screening is right for you

Are you at risk for prostate cancer?

• Are you an African American man?
• Are you over the age 45?
• Do you have a family history of prostate cancer?
• Are you confused or concerned by the conflicting information describing the benefits and harms of prostate cancer screening and treatment?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these, you may be at higher risk of developing prostate cancer than other men.

African American men have the highest prostate cancer rates. About 5 in 100 will die of prostate cancer compared to 3 in 100 for whites or Hispanic men.

But unlike other cancers where detecting it early and treating it may lead to a cure, prostate cancer is not so clear cut. Because prostate cancer is slow-growing, it might never cause harm even it left untreated. Further complicating matters, how we diagnose and treat prostate cancer can sometimes lead to harm.

 ABOUT P.E.P. TALK FOUNDER:

DR. STANLEY K. FRENCHER, M.D.,MPH

Dr. Stanley Frencher graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in Biology/Sociology.  He specialized in Health and Aging, as well as in Social, Inequality: Race, Class, and Gender.  Dr. Frencher earned his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  During medical school, he obtained a Master's degree in Public Health at Columbia University as a Macy's Scholar.  Immediately prior to starting residency, he briefly interned on Capitol Hill for Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) working on health-related policy.  He is currently the first Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar sponsored by the American College of Surgeons conducting surgical quality of care research at UCLA/RAND, interrupting his general surgery residency training at Yale New Haven Hospital.  Now, transitioning to a surgical career in urology, his research interests include understanding patterns of screening and awareness of prostate cancer among minorities within healthcare systems and in community settings.  To that end, he has teamed with Dr Releford and the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP) to initiate an informed dialogue among African American men about the controversies surrounding prostate cancer screening and treatment in the barbershop. Dr Frencher sees himself as a future leader in health both as a producer of rigorous research that informs the decisions of physicians, health care administrator and policymakers; (and most importantly) an advocate for his patients and community. 

SCREENING FOR PROSTATE CANCER:

• PSA (prostate-specific antigen) Test:

This is a blood test that measures proteins in the blood. For most men, a PSA greater than 4 or one than has risen rapidly since last test requires further testing.

• DRE (Digital rectal exam):

This is a physical exam using a gloved finger to check the prostate.

These tests help doctors determine if you need further testing such as a biopsy. When prostate cancer is found, not all doctors agree when it should and should not be treated.

So, is screening right for you? The decision is yours. But we, at Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program, aim to help you make it.

Coming soon to a barbershop near you, “P.E.P. Talks,” lead by Dr Stanley Frencher Jr of UCLA and the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, will provide men with culturally appropriate educational materials and resources in area barbershops in order to help men decide whether to undergo screening or not. Men who desire screening or need other prostate cancer-related services will receive referrals from BBHOP staff.