Addressing Prostate Cancer Disparities in Black Men: A Conversation with Kris Bennett from Movember

Did you know that 1 in 6 Black men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? Compare that to 1 in 8 men overall, and you begin to see the stark health disparities that exist when it comes to prostate cancer.

In my latest The Healthy Project Podcast episode, I spoke with Kris Bennett, MiM, MPH , Director of Prostate Cancer Health Equity Initiatives at Movember . Our conversation was eye-opening, as we talked about the complex factors behind these disparities and discussed what needs to change to close the gap in prostate cancer outcomes.

Prostate Cancer Disparities in Black Men

Kris shared some hard-hitting statistics and stories that underline the urgency of addressing prostate cancer in Black men. “When you really get into it, especially in the United States, Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. So in general, again, in the U.S., that number is one in 8 men, but it balloons to one in 6 when you’re talking about Black men,” he said.

This isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about the inequities in healthcare access, the lack of early detection services, and the cultural stigmas that often prevent men from having important conversations about their health.

Barriers to Care and Trust in Providers

We also touched on the lack of trust in the healthcare system, which is a major barrier to care for many men. Kris emphasized how important it is to rebuild that trust: “There’s such a deeply ingrained distrust of the medical system, and rightfully so. For us as medical professionals, it’s important to admit where we’ve gone wrong and extend that olive branch.”

As a public health advocate, I’ve seen firsthand how this distrust can lead to men avoiding care, even when they need it most. Healthcare providers must take proactive steps to address these concerns and create spaces where men feel safe and supported.

The Importance of Early Detection

Early detection is a game-changer when it comes to prostate cancer, especially in Black men. Kris and I talked about the importance of PSA testing (a simple blood test) and why more men should be getting screened earlier. “If you’re a Black man, have a family history of prostate cancer, or are a veteran, you should be getting that PSA test earlier,” Kris advised.

He also mentioned some amazing resources, including Movember, Zero Prostate Cancer, and the American Cancer Society, that offer free PSA testing and advocacy work to break down barriers to care.

Why We Need More Conversations About Prostate Cancer

One of the key takeaways from my conversation with Kris was the need to normalize conversations around prostate health. Too often, men—especially Black men—don’t talk about these issues until it’s too late. We need to shift the narrative so that prostate cancer awareness becomes a routine part of our health discussions, just like talking about heart health or blood pressure.

As Kris said, “I really want more people to have these conversations. These are conversations that will keep us alive—they’re not conversations that are going to hurt us.”

If this resonates with you, I encourage you to listen to the full episode. Let’s keep this conversation going, and let’s work toward a future where all men have the knowledge and access they need to live healthier lives.

You can listen to the full episode here or watch it on YouTube here.

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Be well,

Corey Dion Lewis, The Healthy Project