On a quiet Sunday afternoon, Mr. Leon Carter sat in his favorite recliner, surrounded by the comforting sounds of family. His grandson, Malcolm, laughed from the kitchen as he helped his dad prep the grill. The house smelled like summer and love. But beneath the joy was something unspoken. Like many families, they hadn’t discussed certain health concerns until it was too late.
Leon had been ignoring symptoms for months. Difficulty urinating. Persistent back pain. Fatigue that lingered despite rest. He attributed it to aging. It wasn’t until his daughter encouraged him to see a doctor that the truth emerged. Leon had advanced prostate cancer.
Leon’s story, while fictional, mirrors a painful truth for many. In Ohio, prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men. Black men, in particular, are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than white men. According to the Cancer STATS & FACTS for Ohio: Prostate Cancer report published by the Ohio Partners for Cancer Control, the prostate cancer death rate among Black men in Ohio in 2019 was 45.7 deaths per 100,000, compared to 32.4 deaths per 100,000 among white men. These figures reflect a long-standing health disparity that continues to impact families across generations (Ohio Partners for Cancer Control, 2021. https://ohiocancerpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ProstateCancerstatsandfactsforOhio.pdf).
These numbers are not just statistics. They represent fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons. They reflect years of delayed diagnoses, missed screenings, and conversations that were never had. But they also remind us of what is possible when we respond with love, education, and action.
That is why events like “Man P.L.E.A.S.E. Check Yourself,” hosted by the Eta Nu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., are so important. This free community event on Saturday, September 27, 2025, is more than a health fair. It is a safe and welcoming space where men, particularly those who are most at risk, can access education, free screenings, and fellowship.
As the founder of The Advocate’s Table, I am committed to addressing cancer disparities through education, advocacy, and early detection. Much of our work focuses on hereditary conditions like PMS2, BRCA2, and Lynch syndrome, which increase the risk of multiple cancers in both men and women. Although my personal journey began with breast cancer, I quickly learned how critical it is to include men in the conversation, especially when these inherited mutations affect the entire family tree.
In the story of the Carters, Leon’s diagnosis did more than change his life. It opened the door for his sons and grandsons to think differently about their health. They began asking questions. They booked appointments. They started having conversations they once avoided. And they began changing what health looks like for the next generation.
A healthy Black man is more than someone who survives. He is someone who is informed, supported, and surrounded by community. When we make space for him to speak, to learn, and to be seen, we protect more than just his life. We protect the future of the families and communities he helps lead.
This event is open to all men, regardless of background or diagnosis status, who want to learn more about prostate cancer prevention or support those who are impacted. I encourage families and caregivers to come too. This is a family issue, and healing is strongest when done together. No man should be left behind or left out of this conversation.
Event Details:
“Man P.L.E.A.S.E. Check Yourself” – A Prostate Cancer Awareness Event
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: SJCC Event Center, 2707 Northland Plaza Dr, Columbus, OH 43231
Register: https://www.614ques.org
At The Advocate’s Table, we believe in lifting every voice, especially those often unheard. This is not just about statistics. It is about legacy. It is about love. And it is about time.
Source:
Ohio Partners for Cancer Control. (2021). Cancer STATS & FACTS for Ohio: Prostate Cancer. Retrieved from
https://ohiocancerpartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ProstateCancerstatsandfactsforOhio.pdf
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