Congratulations, you made it through the chaotic, crazy year that was 2020 and here you are in a new year, with new opportunities, and, if you are like many Americans, new resolutions for improving your life!
According to finder.com, an estimated 188.9 million adult Americans (74.02% of the population) say they’re determined to learn something new, make a lifestyle change or set a personal goal in an effort to better themselves in 2021, a 15.17% increase from the previous year. Health-related resolutions are at the top of the list by far and 43.53% of the participants were men. We hope the male-driven increase includes more men getting tested and examined (PSA testing and digital rectal exams). The top three categories that keep this holiday tradition alive this year are Health, Self-Improvement, Money.
The Hampton Roads Prostate Health Forum encourages all men age 40 and over to make a resolution to get tested and examined.
Code Red Rally Starts in 1 Month!
Visit CodeRedRally.com to learn more and register today!
CODE RED RALLY – FEB 2021
February 1, 8, 15, & 22, 2021, 6pm
Our first-ever Virtual Disparity and Early Detection Summit, which we’ve branded Code R.E.D., to call attention to the very critical nature of the issues being discussed is now just one month away! We are excited to continue our work to reduce the number of men, especially Black men, who die from prostate cancer. R.E.D. stands for two things: “Rallying for Early Detection” and “Rallying to End Disparities”, which happen to be the two major focuses of this hybrid virtual/in-person event. This event is being designed to provide safe and convenient opportunities for men to receive free Prostate Cancer tests (PSA) and digital rectal exams. More details on the medical sessions will be provided later.
These sessions will be live-streamed online so that anyone can participate. Click the button below to register!
What about in-person PSA Tests and Digital Rectal Exams?
PSA testing and digital rectal exams are at the heart of our Early Detection focus. We believe the most reliable way to detect prostate cancer in its early stages is to combine the digital rectal exam (DRE) with PSA testing. That is why we and our partners will offer free PSA testing and DREs as soon as it is safe to do so in our evolving COVID-19 environment.
Help us Spread the Word about the Code R.E.D. Summit
We have a goal to get 100 people signed up for next month’s Code R.E.D.Virtual Disparity and Early Detection Summit within the first 10 days of 2021. We need your help to get there! Here are 3 simple steps to help us achieve this goal.
Those who register between now and 11:59 PM on January 15, 2021 (it takes less than 3 minutes) may be eligible to receive a free and private appointment to receive a PSA test and a digital rectal exam for themselves or a loved one. This offer is being made in the event we are not allowed to have our group in-person educational and screening events. These appointments are also subject to Federal, State and other guidelines to ensure the safety of all involved.
The Prostate Cancer (PCa) Problem:
PCa- is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men,
PCa is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men, 2020 in Virginia, new cases: 6,200, deaths: 800,
1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with PCa in their lifetime,
Black men are at increased risk for the disease.
1 in 6 black men will be diagnosed with the disease,
Black men are 2 times more likely to die from the disease and 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease,
Veterans who were exposed to herbicides like Agent Orange are at increased risk for developing PCa and are more likely to have an aggressive form of the disease,
If caught early, PCa has a five-year survival rate of nearly 100%, *For late-stage PCa the five-year survival rate is 29%,
The economic and social burden of PCa is huge:
^PCa is estimated to cost over $8 billion,
^ Men who survive after treatment frequently suffer from side effects, including impotence and incontinence.
Source: ZERO-The End of Prostate Cancer
Code R.E.D. Schedule
Confirmed Code R.E.D. Speakers
Ifeanyi Ani, MD, TPMG
Medical Advisory Committee, Chair, Executive Committee
Urologist, TPMG
Jordan Asher, MD, MS
Medical Advisory Committee,
Chief Physician Executive and Senior Vice President, Sentara Healthcare
Golden Bethune-Hill, BSN, MSN
Community Advisory Committee, Chair, Executive Committee
Executive Director, Community Free Clinic of Newport News
Patricia Hentosh, ScD
Secretary, Executive Committee
Former Professor, Medical Laboratory and Radiation Sciences, Old Dominion University
Mark Fleming, MD
Medical Advisory Committee, Executive Committee
President, Virginia Oncology Associates; Medical Director, Genitourinary Program, US Oncology
Charlie W. Hill, MBA
President, Executive Committee
Prostate Cancer Survivor, WARRIOR
Timothy Powell, MD
Urologist, Riverside Health System
Additional speakers TBA
Become a Sponsor for the Code R.E.D. Rally!
There are two levels of sponsorship (Premier and Supporter) for corporate entities and individuals who desire to support this Code R.E.D. initiative and promote their brand.
Please click the button below to learn more about sponsorship opportunities for the
If caught early, prostate cancer patients have a five-year survival rate of nearly 100% and late-stage prostate cancer patients have a five-year survival rate of 29%.
Saluting Survivors
For the past few months, in this newsletter, you have heard us say in many ways, “Early Detection Saves Lives.” Rather than just tell you, this month, we figured we show you. Below, we highlight a number of Prostate Cancer Warriors who have been able to extend their lives despite a prostate cancer diagnosis because their disease was detected and treated early.
Charlie Hill
Diagnosed 2002
Lawrence Davis
Diagnosed 2014
William Pinckney
Diagnosed 2018
Everett Browning
Diagnosed 2008
Wayne Ellison
Diagnosed 2001
Eugene Thompson
Diagnosed 2002
Curtis Clarke
Diagnosed 2015
John Fleming
Diagnosed 2006
Calling all Survivors
We invite other Survivors to send us their photos and year of diagnosis to hrprostatehealthforum@gmail.com in order to be featured in this space. Our goal is to encourage additional men to start annual PSA testing and exams no later than age 40. Thanks!
WHY SHOULD ELIGIBLE MEN PARTICIPATE IN THESE STUDIES?
Eligible men should participate in the studies below because the information they provide will be used to help researchers make new discoveries to improve the prevention, diagnoses and treatment of prostate cancer. Men who complete the requirements of the studies below will be able to practice the selfless concern for the well-being of men who have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially their sons, grandsons and other relatives and friends.
RESPOND is the largest research study ever to look for answers to the prostate cancer problem for African American men. RESPOND is working with African American community leaders to make sure the community’s voice is heard. RESPOND needs 10,000 African American men with prostate cancer to complete a survey. RESPOND needs many of those men to also give saliva or cancer tissue samples. RESPOND participants will receive a $30 gift card (Walmart or Target) for completion of the survey, $30 for providing a saliva sample plus an additional $20 for giving permission to access stored prostate tissue samples. HOW TO JOIN RESPOND: Complete the survey by mail or online: www.RESPONDStudy.org
The Metastatic Prostate Cancer Project (MPCproject.org) is a patient-partnered online research study for men with advanced and/or metastatic prostate cancer. The goal of the project is to generate linked patient-reported, clinical, and genomic data that is de-identified to protect patient privacy and then shared widely with the research community to speed discoveries in prostate cancer.
Both diagnosis and survival rates for metastatic prostate cancer vary a great deal, particularly across racial and ethnic backgrounds, and researchers still do not fully understand why. The MPC Project hopes to enroll and learn from men across the US and Canada, and particularly alongside those who are underrepresented in research to better understand the basis for these differences.
Participation in the MPCproject is easy:
Visit MPCproject.org and click “count me in” to complete a short online form with optional questions.
Fill out an online consent form that gives permission for the study team to send a simple saliva sample kit, obtain copies of your medical records, and provide an optional blood sample and/or stored tumor tissue (if available)
There is a new study called COMPPARE. It stands for “A Prospective COMparative Study of Outcomes with Proton and Photon RAdiation in PRostate CancEr. This study is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and led by Dr. Nancy Mendenhall at the University of Florida. COMPPARE is asking 3,000 prostate cancer patients (ages 30-80) across the U.S. who have chosen to be treated with proton therapy or photon therapy to answer brief surveys regarding treatment choice, quality of life, and side effects for at least three years.
Patients who choose radiation therapy want to know which radiation option is best for them in treating their prostate cancer, photon or proton. However, the effects of photons versus protons on quality of life, organ function, and prostate cancer cure rates have not been directly compared in a large, multi-institutional trial.
COMPPARE needs 300 African American men of the total 3,000 men to complete its survey.
COMPPARE participants will receive up to $250 for completing surveys before radiation begins, during treatment, and at follow-up visits.
Early stage prostate cancer that has not spread has no symptoms!
A PSA test may indicate prostate cancer early before it has spread.
The digital rectal exam (DRE) may also indicate prostate cancer before it has spread.
FAITH:
People of faith have felt the need to express their experience with and belief in a much higher power especially in times of trouble such as learning they have cancer. Proclaiming the good news seems to serve most cancer patients well as it helps with their psychosocial and spiritual well being.
EARLY DETECTION:
Early treatment of prostate cancer may help some men avoid major problems.
Early treatment of prostate cancer may help some men live longer.
January 19, 2021
Our first-ever Virtual Disparity and Early Detection Summit, which we’ve branded 
