The American Cancer Society estimates show an alarming 80% increase in prostate cancer diagnoses from 2019 (174,650 cases) to 2025 (313,780 cases). This represents the most significant rise among all primary cancers, with Black men diagnosed at a rate more than 70% higher than that of white men and having more than twice the mortality rate.

“These numbers are alarming and require immediate action,” said Thomas A. Farrington, PHEN president and founder. “PHEN is responding to this prostate cancer crisis through our Community Rallies, targeting men in the highest risk communities throughout the country.” 

PHEN, which is based in Greater Boston, MA, held its in-person Boston Community Rally on March 29th at the Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, MA, under the leadership of Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Willie Brodrick II. Twelfth Baptist Church has been a PHEN Church Partner for over two decades. Over 150 people attended the Rally, and 73 men were screened. The Rally’s month-long social media campaign reached nearly 400,000 people.

(Pictured above L-r: Rev. Miniard Culpepper, Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church; Mark Katz, MD, Boston Medical Center; Rev. Dr. Willie Bodrick, II, Twelfth Baptist Church; Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley; Thomas and Juarez Farrington, and Tomeeka Miller, PHEN)

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) also joined the Boston Rally, where she spoke about her longstanding relationship with PHEN. “Black men do deserve to grow old, and both my biological father and my stepfather are living with prostate cancer, and I credit that to the work of PHEN because they had early detection,” said Congresswoman Pressley.   Click to watch her remarks.

Mr. Rausan Battle, Prostate Cancer Survivor and Dr. Keith Crawford, PHEN Director of Clinical Trials and Patient Education

“At age 40, I started having symptoms. I didn’t think much of it since I was going to the gym; I was a basketball coach and a personal trainer,” said Mr. Rausan Battle, a seven-year prostate cancer survivor, during a panel on the importance of early detection. By age 44, I went back to the doctor and was still having symptoms. I believed the doctor; he said my appendix was about to burst and to go to the ER. At age 46 I went to the ER, and they looked at the results and didn’t believe it; that is when I found out I had stage four prostate cancer, and I didn’t get that early detection because I was healthy and in shape,” said Mr. Battle, who was diagnosed with a PSA of 1400 at the young age of 46.  

“I think the first problem is that we haven't sounded the alarm, said Rev. Dr. Willie Brodrick II (pictured-r), Pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church, during a panel on mobilizing the Boston community of the severity of the City’s Black prostate cancer crisis and building a path forward. “Contextually, we don't understand how big of a problem this is and how great the disparity is!”

Click here to watch Rev. Dr. Bodrick's remarks.

During February, seven Dallas leaders recorded prostate cancer awareness messages to play on the airwaves at local Dallas radio stations and on social media, which reached 700,000 people. 

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, (pictured-l) Texas’s 30th District, spoke out about her own experience with the disease as the daughter of a prostate cancer survivor. “Getting diagnosed early saved my dad's life, and it can save yours, too," said Congresswoman Crockett. Click here to listen to her story.

More than 80 people attended the Dallas Prostate Cancer Community Rally event on March 1st at Cedar Crest Church of Christ, led by Rev. Jonathan W. Morrison. Sixty-seven men were screened for free for prostate cancer, and the event also included a prostate cancer educational session, including a roundtable with industry representatives and survivors discussing topics such as “The Importance of Clinical Trials.” 

PHEN has partnered with the Dallas community since 2016. It has several Dallas-based church partners, including Friendship-West Baptist Church and its leader, Dr. Frederick Haynes III, who has advocated against prostate cancer. In 2023, PHEN also collaborated with the State Fair Classic at the famed Cotton Bowl to raise awareness about the disease during the football game for prostate cancer awareness month. Dr. Haynes and the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee participated in this effort. 

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, PHEN hosted a successful Charlotte Prostate Cancer Community Rally educational program and free screening event at Little Rock AME Zion Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. The radio and social media campaign reached nearly 1 million people! This month-long Community Rally spread the word about the prostate cancer crisis affecting Black men through radio, social media, and a live event. Over 200 people attended PHEN's educational program in person and online, and 48 men were screened. 

The Charlotte Prostate Cancer Community Rally program and grassroots efforts also led to PHEN signing a historic health agreement between the Men of the A.M.E. Zion and the Health Ministry of the A.M.E. Zion Church denomination which has more than 1,000 member churches.

Click here to watch the Charlotte Rally Replay

Pictured above L-r: Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., Presiding Bishop, Piedmont Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church, Rev. Scot C. Moore, Executive Director of Men of Zion, Dr. Iyabode Beysolow, Director of Health Ministry, The A.M.E. Zion Church

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