By David Ford, Special to NNPA Newswire

Twice. That is how many times I have had to battle cancer.

I still consider myself very fortunate, although surviving a disease that is expected to kill nearly 609,820 Americans this year is not a matter of luck. The fact is that cancer screenings can help save lives.

When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I thought my prospects were dire. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer incidence among Black men is more than 70% higher than in white men, and Black men are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. In fact, Black men have the highest death rate for prostate cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.

Thankfully, my prostate cancer was detected early. Three years prior, a tumor ruptured my colon, which is how I learned I had colorectal cancer. Had I heeded my doctor’s recommendation to undergo a colonoscopy months before, I could have had the tumor removed and prevented it from causing additional damage.

I learned that early detection is key to surviving cancer, so I prioritized my physical exams and cancer screenings. In 2018, elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test results signaled the potential for prostate cancer, and a biopsy confirmed it. I started my radiation treatment right away. Today, I am in remission.

Prostate cancer accounts for more than a third of all new cancers in Black men. Now this is what I want you to remember: when prostate cancer is found early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. However, the likelihood of survival drops to 32% when it is found in its advanced stages.

This means that a future generation with zero deaths from prostate cancer is not a dream but an attainable goal IF the people who need cancer screenings can get them.

It also means that more lives can be saved if the disease is detected and treated early when treatment is more effective and less expensive.

Unfortunately, Black people generally have lower rates of cancer screening, likely due to factors such as having less access to care, lower likelihood of doctor recommendation and medical mistrust.

Out-of-pocket costs can also be a barrier to accessing screening.

As a prostate cancer survivor and member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s (ACS CAN) Board of Directors, I believe that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

I know that having equitable access to screening is critical to reducing prostate cancer deaths and saving more lives, especially in the Black community.

That’s why I’m glad to see that there’s a bill before Congress that would help remove cost barriers to prostate cancer screening for men at high risk for the disease, the Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening for High-risk Insured Men (PSA Screening for HIM) Act.

Introduced by Representatives Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY) and Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Boozman (R-AR), this bipartisan bill would waive cost-sharing requirements for prostate cancer screenings for men with the highest risk of prostate cancer, focusing on Black men and those with a family history of the disease.

If the bill is passed it means that men at high risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer would be able to get prostate cancer screenings without out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copayments, or coinsurances.

Our elected officials play a vital role in helping reduce the cancer burden and persistent disparities by advancing public health policies that improve access to prevention and early detection services.

As part of ACS CAN’s Leadership Summit and Lobby Day, I traveled to Washington, D.C. recently to meet with members of Congress to urge them to support the PSA Screening for HIM Act.

Passing this legislation is a crucial step to saving more lives from prostate cancer. It would also help address the unjust and unacceptable cancer disparities in the Black community.

Everyone at high risk for prostate cancer who has made an informed decision with their doctor to get screened should have access to that screening without cost-sharing posing an obstacle.

My plea to all men — Black men in particular — is to get your regular checkups, talk to your doctor about the benefits and limitations of PSA screening, and urge your Congressional representatives to support the PSA Screening for HIM Act. If health is wealth, consider this practice part of your legacy.

David Ford is a dedicated cancer advocate and currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the advocacy affiliate for the American Cancer Society.

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire

Researchers at the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center are spearheading a pioneering study to unravel the biological underpinnings of aggressive breast cancers in Black women.

Led by Dr. Harikrishna Nakshatri, a breast cancer researcher at the IU School of Medicine and a key researcher at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, the investigation holds promise for targeted treatments that could significantly reduce disparities in breast cancer outcomes among Black women.

While breast cancer incidence is now considered lower among Black women, they face significantly poorer outcomes, often developing more aggressive triple-negative breast cancers at a younger age.

“Even after you correct for socioeconomic and healthcare access factors, African ancestry is still associated with the worst outcomes,” Nakshatri emphasized.

Nakshatri’s lab has been dedicated to uncovering the influence of genetic ancestry on the biology of normal breast tissue and its implications for developing aggressive breast cancers.

Women of African descent had more PZP cells in their normal breast tissue than women of Caucasian descent, according to a previous study under Nakshatri’s direction. Notably, PZP cell numbers increase when Caucasian women develop breast cancer, while they are naturally more abundant in Black women.

Adding to this, Nakshatri and his team showed that PZP cells have a significant effect on how cancer cells behave and grow, especially when they interact with epithelial cells, which is where breast cancer usually starts.

Researchers have also found that PZP cells are one of the sources of metaplastic breast cancers (MBC), which are rare and aggressive and make up less than 1% of all breast cancers.

The team drew upon tissue samples from the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, the world’s sole repository of healthy breast tissue, to conduct this research.

“When these PZP cells interact with epithelial cells, they trigger the production of a crucial protein called interleukin-6. This prompts distinct behavior in the epithelial cells and activates a signaling pathway known as STAT3,” Nakshatri explained. “This is what makes tumors originating from the epithelial cells more aggressive.”

The findings have laid the foundation for an upcoming clinical trial led by Kathy Miller, MD, a prominent figure in oncology at IU School of Medicine.

Miller also serves as the Ballvé Lantero professor of oncology and holds the position of associate director of clinical research at the cancer center, in addition to her role as a researcher at the Vera Bradley Foundation Center.

“This study could help us determine if physicians need to consider the genetic ancestry of the person when deciding on possible treatments for breast cancer,” Nakshatri stated.

Based on the biology of normal breast tissue, he said the study represents a significant departure from conventional treatment approaches, offering new hope for more effective, targeted treatments in the fight against breast cancer.

By Sean Ryan

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) reintroduced the Student Support Act to ensure all students have access to the mental health services and support they require to thrive academically and personally.

The proposed legislation represents a pivotal step in addressing the growing mental health crisis among students.

Recognizing the significant challenges students face today, the act aims to break down barriers to access and would provide $100 million in grants to states for additional school-based mental health and student service providers.

Currently, there is a national average ratio of 1,653 students per school psychologist, despite the 1:500-700 recommendation from the National Association of Social Psychologists. This legislation would allow schools to have the maximum recommended ratio of 1 school social worker for every 250 students.

“Our students are our future, and their mental health is paramount,” said  Lee. “Educational institutions, parents, policymakers, and communities must work together to ensure that every student has access to the mental health resources they need to succeed.

“With the Student Support Act, we are making a substantial investment in the well-being of our youth, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential. I urge my colleagues to support this bill and help take that significant step toward creating a safer and more supportive environment in our schools.”

Sarah Butts, director of Public Policy for the National Association of Social Workers thanked Lee for continued leadership to address the mental health and behavioral health needs of children and their families.

“We endorse the Student Support Act because students and school communities can benefit greatly from access to social workers and other mental health professionals on site,” Butts said.

Lee understands that student success is intrinsically linked to their mental health. Participation in the use of school-based mental health centers (SBHC) was positively associated with increases in grade point average (GPA) and attendance.

By implementing these comprehensive measures, the Student Support Act is taking bold steps to ensure that no student is left without the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

To view the bill, go to: https://lee.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2023_student_support_act.pdf

Sean Ryan is a media relations officer in Rep. Barbara Lee’s press office.