Read time: 4 minutes.
The LUNGevity Conversations that Count speaker series offers an opportunity to stay informed, engage in critical discussions, and learn from top experts revolutionizing lung cancer care for underserved populations. The series is intended for healthcare professionals, community health equity champions, and anyone interested in equitable access to healthcare.
In September—Prostate Cancer Awareness Month—Derrick Butts, board president and co-founder of Prostate Health Matters, joined us to talk about developing a resilient mindset for cancer and how men can proactively take care of their prostate health.
Key Prostate Cancer Statistics
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime
- 1 in 5 African American men will be diagnosed in their lifetime
- 2nd leading cause of cancer death in men
- 5-year survival rate is 99% when caught early, but only 37% when caught at advanced stage
You can watch the full video or use the timestamps to view specific sections.
Introduction 0:00-5:30
Derrick Butts is a 9-year prostate cancer survivor, member of three National Cancer Institute (NCI) hospital community advisory boards, co-author of the book Prostate Cancer—A Family Affair, advocate, and much more.
Derrick takes a minute to talk about the resilience mindset that he and Prostate Health Matters use to help men prepare for and successfully navigate a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Resilience Mindset for Prostate Health: An intentional and strategic investment, mentally and physically, to understand possible challenges with your prostate health and plan your survivor’s journey before a cancer diagnosis.
How Common is Prostate Cancer? 5:30-9:50
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and the incidence is rising at an estimated 3–5% annually. The burden is higher among African American men—who face higher rates of diagnosis and mortality—as well as men with a family history of prostate or breast cancer.
Up to 60% of prostate cancer risk is inherited, underscoring the importance of education, proactive screening, and access to care. While early-stage prostate cancer has a five-year survival rate of 99%, advanced-stage survival falls to 37%, making timely detection and intervention critical.
What Does a Resilience Journey Look Like: 9:50-22:10
Derrick shares his resilience journey—starting in 1994—to explain what it means to be proactive about prostate cancer health. His grandfather and father both had prostate cancer, so at 38 years old Derrick started the conversation with his doctor.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends men between 55-69 make an individual decision about whether to be screened for prostate cancer after a conversation with their clinician about the potential benefits and harms.
Prostate Health Matters recommends screenings:
- At age 50 in men with average risk
- At age 40 in men with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer
In 2015, after more than a decade of monitoring his blood levels, Derrick learned that his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) numbers had spiked. At this time, he had no symptoms, was biking 100 miles per week, and was continuing to eat a healthy diet.
In 2016, Derrick was officially diagnosed with prostate cancer. Since he’d spent his life preparing for this news, he already knew what he wanted to do. He told his doctor he was ready for surgery.
What to Know About Prostate Cancer 22:10-33:30
This section covers important details related to:
- Risk factors
- Symptoms
- Screening options
- Diagnosis
- Initial treatment options
- Post treatment options
Key takeaways from this information-rich section include:
- Prostate cancer is hereditary—having a first-degree relative with prostate cancer increases one’s risk of also developing it
- Symptoms of advanced-stage prostate cancer include urinary changes, decreased erections, blood in urine, and loss of bladder or bowel control
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening is a blood test that tracks changes over time, helping inform when more diagnostic testing is needed
- When caught early, the 5-year survival rate is 99%
How to Take Control of Your Prostate Health 33:30-40:00
Actionable items that men can take to be proactive and practice Derrick’s prostate health resilience mindset include:
- Knowing your PSA number – Even if your doctor says it’s good, ask what the actual number is
- Knowing your family history – Find out if you have a family history of prostate or breast cancer, as both can increase your risk
- Working with your doctor – Ask questions and be open about how your body feels, if you have pain, have issues urinating, etc.
- Knowing your treatment options – If diagnosed, it’s more than OK to seek a second opinion
- Knowing that your family wants you around for the long-term
- Knowing that prostate cancer is curable if you catch it early
- Knowing that there is good quality of life after prostate cancer
Audience Q&A 40:00-50:50
Derrick answers these audience questions:
- As a woman, how do I get my male partner to get a prostate exam?
- How can health care providers connect men with a prostate cancer mentor?
- Do you know of national or local support groups for men with prostate cancer?
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