CHICAGO – City of Hope Cancer® Center Chicago, part of one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, is calling on local community organizations, faith leaders and advocates to expand access to PSA screenings and educational resources to address the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer on Black men.
In Cook County, Black men account for 33 percent of prostate cancer diagnoses yet make up only 22 percent of the area’s male population. City of Hope, Chicago’s only cancer-focused hospital, is working to provide screening solutions and equitable access to care. In addition, the cancer leader is encouraging ongoing conversations about prostate cancer awareness and prevention in Chicago’s Black neighborhoods.
Black men also face the highest prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates of any racial group in the U.S., making targeted education, trusted outreach and improved access to screening especially important. These disparities are especially concerning given that prostate cancer has a 93% survival rate when detected early.
During September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness month, City of Hope Chicago is engaging with community partners and others to provide access to PSA screening tests and other cancer screening resources. Already, the organization has conducted screening events at Siloam Missionary Baptist Church and Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago. The next screening is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12 from 10am to 2pm at First Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, 1529 Elizabeth Ave., North Chicago, IL 60064, with more opportunities throughout the month and beyond currently being planned.
“Research can change what is possible, but advocacy helps ensure those advances reach the people who need them most,” said John D. Carpten, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, Irell & Manella Cancer Center Director's Distinguished Chair, Morgan & Helen Chu Director's Chair of the Beckman Research Institute. A key panelist at City of Hope Chicago’s recent Prostate Cancer Advocacy Day, which brought together physicians, researchers, community leaders, advocates and partners for an expert panel focused on prostate cancer awareness, innovation and community impact, Dr. Carpten’s work in the 1990s helped call attention to the underrepresentation of Black men in prostate cancer genetics research and led to efforts to better understand inherited risk in Black families. “By connecting science, community education and trusted partnerships, we can actually help address disparities by empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.”
City of Hope’s message is simple: ‘Talk with a health care provider about whether PSA screening is right for you.’ Like many other cancers, prostate cancer may not cause symptoms in its early stages. However, a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test can help identify elevated PSA levels that may warrant further evaluation by a health care provider.
Public officials and community leaders supporting City of Hope’s efforts include Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham, Waukegan Township Supervisor Marc Jones, North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. and Zion Police Chief Eric Barden.
“Far too many Black men and their families have been impacted by prostate cancer, yet conversations about screening and early detection don’t happen often enough,” shared Mayor Cunningham. “I am proud to join City of Hope Chicago and our regional partners in this effort. I see this as an important step toward raising awareness and connecting residents with the resources they need to protect their health.”
Advocates and public figures, including Montell Jordan, Rob Kirkland, Quentin Latham and Colin Egglesfield, also have and continue to help raise awareness around prostate cancer, early detection and screening.
“At City of Hope Chicago, we know improving cancer outcomes requires more than advanced treatment alone. It requires trusted relationships, access to education and a commitment to meeting communities where they are,” added Pete Govorchin, M.B.A., president of City of Hope Cancer Center Chicago. “We want to help more men understand their risk, talk openly about screening and connect with the care and resources they need. We are urging all our community partners to engage with us to help expand access to this important screening resource, not just during September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, but every month.”
Organizations interested in partnering with City of Hope to provide prostate cancer screening resources can visit www.cityofhope.org/locations/chicago/community-outreach or contact Katherine Easton ([email protected]).
For more information on City of Hope, visit www.CityofHope.org.
About City of Hope
City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHopeTM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.