For Immediate Release
African Americans Sought for Prostate Cancer Study

A nationwide search is being launched by the National Physician and Family Referral (NPFR) Project to recruit African-American families with a history of 2 or more men with prostate cancer in their family. The NPFR’s 2003 “Find The Cause” Campaign is actively seeking 100 families by March 31, 2003 who meet the criteria for human genome research. This research is to determine hereditary causes of prostate cancer.

African American men die twice as fast from the disease as any other race of men. Researchers are looking at heredity as the primary cause within this male population. Having access to information and funding is critical in fighting this disease because lives have been saved, when detected early.

In California and other states there is a high political consciousness about health. "I'm really concerned about prostate cancer. Too many of us are not getting the message," said U.S. Rep. (Calif.) Maxine Waters. "Our men should start getting screenings by age 40. If not, some of them are going to die. My husband gets his check up twice a year." Recent studies on prostate cancer done at the National Institute of Health (NIH) indicate some men with prostate cancer may also have male relatives with this disease. In a previous NIH study, 100 men participated. However, only two were African American. In both cases, prostate cancer was found in other family members. The new study will allow researchers to examine how the disease specifically affects African-American men. It is the only genetic study of its type currently being done.

"It is extremely important that more African-American families with prostate cancer be included in national studies so that we can find out if this disease does run in the family of more African Americans," says Dr. Georgia Dunston, National Human Genome Center at Howard University. NPFR is a division of 50 Hoops Tournaments and Health Fairs. Founded in 1995, 50 Hoops provides education and access to free screening to underserved populations through its partnerships with major cancer hospitals and universities. Its name comes from the main event—men aged 50 + playing in half-court basketball team competition. Cities slated for the 2003 tournaments are Philadelphia, St. Louis and Oakland. While breast cancer has attracted strong media coverage over the past few years, Prostate cancer has lacked the notoriety necessary to significantly increase awareness. In support of NPFR’s grassroots and media outreach, public service announcements are scheduled to air on CNN and other national TV stations beginning in February 2003 during Black History Month. Famous men who have survived prostate cancer include former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, actor Harry Belafonte, D.C. Mayor Marion Berry, flutist and composer Herbie Mann, singer Billy Davis (formerly of the Fifth Dimension), and L.A. Urban League President John Mack.

If you are an African American survivor of prostate cancer, a relative of a survivor, or a physician treating prostate cancer patients, please call the toll-free hotline at (800) 677-8441, email info@50hoops.org or visit http://www.npfr.50hoops.org

NPFR Affiliate Programs

CBO Coalition: if you are a member of an African American organization with health focused activities, and would be interested in partnering with 50 Hoops or NPFR for an event in your city