Metro Detroit surgeon aims to reduce disparity of Black men dying from prostate cancer
DETROIT – Prostate cancer survivor Dr. Isaac Powell has treated thousands of cancer patients and has decades of research experience. He’s working on finding a drug that will fight the genes responsible for a more aggressive form of prostate cancer, particularly in Black men. When it comes to prostate cancer in Black men, the numbers are staggering. There’s also the fear of the diagnosis of prostate cancer, to many men the diagnosis is considered a death sentence. Powell and a team of researchers have identified a profile of genes responsible for a more aggressive prostate cancer.
TODAY’s Al Roker reveals prostate cancer diagnosis
Longtime TODAY Show meteorologist Al Roker announced that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery to have his prostate removed. Roker said he wanted to publicly reveal his diagnosis to spotlight the fact that 1 in 7 African American men, 1 in 9 men overall, will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. “It’s a good news-bad news kind of thing,” Roker said. @AlRoker discusses the surgery he will undergo next week to remove his prostate. pic.twitter.com/hbNolSVUHA — TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 6, 2020“I don’t want people thinking, ‘Oh, poor Al,’ you know, because I’m gonna be OK,” Roker said.
This is how you can tell early signs of prostate cancer
With prostate cancer being so common in men, it’s vital to know what signs and symptoms to look for. Acknowledging the importance of being proactive is worth reiterating during September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. According to statistics, one in every nine men will be diagnosed with the disease, so catching it early has a better success rate of treatment. Here are some symptoms to look out for when it comes to prostate cancer:Urinating often, especially at night. It’s a scary thing to think about possibly having prostate cancer, but the sooner you recognize symptoms and get it checked out, the better chance you have of surviving the disease.