Prostate Cancer Campaign

Raising awareness of prostate cancer with and for Black men

Why is it important? Simply put, Black men are at greater risk of prostate cancer, and from a younger age, than other men.

Prostate cancer affects 1 in 4 men from Black African, Caribbean and Black British communities. A far higher rate than the 1 in 8 men it affects from other communities. In addition to this startling statistic, Black men are also at risk from the age of 45 rather than 50 years old, as in other men.

If they have symptoms, Black men are less likely to act on them and visit their doctor. This means that if it is cancer, it can be harder to treat.

Click on the button below to watch Chris’s story and hear first-hand the life-changing impact that visiting the GP to have a simple PSA test (blood test) can have.

Watch Chris's story on YouTube

Wessex Cancer Alliance, with support from Dorset Race Equality Council and Wessex Voices, are listening to and working with Black men, their partners and other organisations in Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to understand how aware men are of this heightened risk.

Together, we are also exploring the barriers men face which can prevent them seeking help.

From our conversations, we know we need to consider and address:

GP awareness about health issues for the Black community generally, and specifically heightened prostate cancer risk
Black men’s general awareness of their health and access to health services
Black men’s and community awareness of their higher risk of prostate cancer
Men’s lack of awareness of the current tests for prostate cancer
Stigma around prostate cancer and the possibility of having a rectal examination

If you are interested in the discussions we have had so far, and the action plan developed as a result please check out the documents on this page.

We meet regularly and are building up to the launch of a publicity campaign during Black History Month in October and Movember (men’s health campaign) in November.

Overview of the project

Notes and action plan from our initial workshop (April 2021)

Notes from our workshop (May 2021)

Funding for your project ideas

There is funding available for individual or groups to carry out activities in relation to the project. This can be up to £500 depending on the size of the initiative. It can be for any idea that meets the following simple criteria:

It must be about raising awareness of prostate cancer with and for Black men, their partners and allies
Be in Dorset, Hampshire and /or the Isle of Wight (including Southampton and Portsmouth)
Tackle a priority identified by the project (as above)
Be part of or linked to the project (in applying for the money we can make this happen)

There is a very simple application form that needs to be completed to apply. Click on the link below to download the form.

Download the prostate campaign grant application form