IN Southeastern Michigan, Black men face disproportionately higher mortality rates from prostate cancer, often presenting with more advanced disease stages. Recognizing the critical need for early detection, a comprehensive initiative titled “Your Prostate, Your Health” was launched to enhance education, screening, and provider engagement within this community.
The project commenced with four focus group discussions involving Black men to assess their perceptions and understanding of prostate cancer and its screening processes. Insights from these discussions informed the development of culturally tailored educational materials, resulting in the distribution of approximately 1,000 brochures at various community events.
Between March 2022 and June 2023, the initiative’s outreach extended to 45 community events, offering prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing at select gatherings. Out of 340 men screened, 28 exhibited elevated PSA levels (≥ 4 ng/ml). However, follow-up adherence posed a challenge, with 17 men not completing the recommended subsequent evaluations.
To address potential gaps in clinical practice, multiple educational sessions were conducted for Henry Ford Health (HFH) providers. A screening practice assessment revealed that 60% of the 129 participating providers routinely offered PSA screening to men aged 55 to 69. Notably, HFH’s overall PSA screening rate increased from 8.2% in 2018 to 12.7% in 2023, indicating a positive trend in proactive patient care.
Despite these advancements, the initiative highlighted a significant barrier: over 60% of men with elevated PSA levels from community screenings did not pursue follow-up care. This underscores the necessity for healthcare professionals to develop strategies that not only promote initial screening but also ensure continuity of care, particularly in high-risk populations.
For healthcare providers, this initiative serves as a model for community-engaged interventions that combine patient education with provider training to address health disparities.
Reference: Tinsley SA et al. Increasing Prostate Cancer Education and Screening for Black Men in Southeastern Michigan: Your Prostate, Your Health. J Cancer Educ. 2025. doi:10.1007/s13187-025-02588-0. [Online ahead of print].
Anaya Malik | AMJ
