Prostate cancer at homecoming.

I was attending the annual Homecoming Weekend at my alma mater, Morgan State University. As usual, it was a time for me and my fellow alum to catch up with all that's happening in each other's lives--how many grandchildren have been born since last year, which grandchild started or finished college, which son or daughter got married or remarried. Five of us Morgan grads, all men in our 60s, were chatting about all of those happy things when the inevitable health issues impacting our lives came up. One by one, each of the other four revealed that they had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Of the five of us, I was the lone exception--or so I thought at the time.

I regularly have PSA (prostate specific antigen) tests done and was awaiting a biopsy report because Dr. Aaron Jackson, my urologist at Howard University (where I am a trustee), was uneasy about the fluctuating PSA scores from my more recent tests. I was not concerned because not having a conclusive diagnosis meant, in my layman's mind, that there was probably nothing there. A few days later I was informed by Dr. Jackson that a few of the samples that were tested showed that cancer was, indeed, present in the prostate. I was no longer the exception.

As has been the case for our entire 43 years of marriage, my wife, Barbara, remains my indispensible life partner, with me every step of the way. This challenge was no different than so many others we've faced together since she agreed to be my bride. Barbara was on the phone with me as Dr. Jackson broke the news of the presence of cancerous cells in my body. She immediately became my "Florence Nightingale," accompanying me to every doctor visit and involved in every major decision regarding my care and treatment options. If you were to ask me what is the most important thing you can do to safeguard your ability to survive a health crisis such as prostate cancer, I'd answer, "Find yourself a Barbara Graves." (And if you can't always keep her happy, at least try not to get on her nerves!)

Another great advantage to finding a wonderful wife is the blessing of wonderful children. We didn't tell our three sons. Earl "Butch" Jr., Johnny, and Michael, until December, when we were sure that I did, indeed, have prostate cancer. Their positive focus and determination has served to reinforce and strengthen my own, as they provide seemingly limitless support while continuing to excel as executives at Earl G. Graves Ltd. Of course, as black men all past 35 (ages 42, 41, and 37, respectively), the challenge I am facing is a major wake-up call to them to take the steps necessary to protect their health.

I knew that it was important to reach out to others for advice, insight, and encouragement as I faced this health challenge. I talked to as many of my friends as I could and found, to my astonishment, that many (perhaps, not coincidentally, too many) had gone through or were sharing my experience. So many people generously offered valuable information, spirit-sustaining encouragement. or sometimes just an open ear, including Darwin Davis, Walter Fulcher, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, Flash and Bennie Wiley, Dr. Ben Carson, Peter and Marian Goodman, Dennis Hightower, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Dr. Ken Forde, Dr. Hal Freeman, Bay Robinson, Ken Chenault, Ann Francis, Patrick Swygert, Bill O'Brien, Dr. Levi Jackson, Dr. Claudia Thomas, Frank Kaiser, Dr. La Salle Lefall, the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, and the Rev. Dr. Franklyn Richardson. Some of these great friends have themselves faced the threat of cancer; others have not. But they all have been helpful, and their support is an invaluable source of health and strength as I face and conquer this disease.

I've also found that it's important--and therapeutic--to arm myself with as much medical information and advice as possible. In addition to tapping resources such as the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), I talked to doctors across the country. Dr. Jackson and I came to the conclusion that I should get a second biopsy and opinion from Dr. Arthur Burnett, a full professor, research scientist, and leading urologist on the staff of the Brady Urological Institue at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Dr. Burnett was trained by Dr. Patrick Walsh, who is acknowledged as the world's foremost authority on prostate cancer and is the inventor of the revolutionary, nerve-sparing surgical technique in which the prostate is removed, but potency and continence are preserved. Doctors Jackson and Burnett are further evidence of the great returns I've enjoyed over the years on my investment of faith in African American physicians.

And speaking of faith, let me say that there is a God who I've called an in the past and I continue to call on today as I face this new trial. Evidence continues to mount that spiritual commitment and faith have powerful, life-enhancing effects that are key to the speed and quality of recovery from cancer. My foundation of faith continues to be the bedrock for my life, and the source of my strength as I face this daunting challenge.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2004, I underwent surgery at Johns Hopkins to remove the cancer. All indications are that the operation was successful. With all due respect to the brilliance of Dr. Burnett, my surgeon, I'm sure that it didn't hurt that as I was going under the knife, employees of BLACK ENTERPRISE had gathered in our company's amphitheatre to pray for me before having their spirits uplifted by a live performance by the world-reknowned Fisk University Jubilee Singers. That said, the disease has changed my life forever. For example, I must take a PSA test every three months so that my condition can be constantly monitored.

One might ask why I am revealing so much about such a personal health situation. The answer is twofold. First, the preponderance of prostate cancer among black males is almost at epidemic levels. We have the highest risk of prostate cancer of any ethnic group in the world. We seem to get the most severe forms of the cancer, are more likely to have a recurrence of the disease after treatment, and are more likely to die of the disease than others. Why this is the case remains the subject of studies. It may be heredity, environment, diet, stress--or some combination of all these things. Research pursued by Dr. Burnett and others will hopefully reveal some of the reasons why the probability of getting this cancer increases as we get older, why Asian men in their homeland rarely experience the disease, why Africans in their homeland do, and why West Indian men in Jamaica have the highest incidence of prostate cancer in the world. This research will also help improve the skills of doctors performing prostate cancer surgery, resulting in greater outcomes for their patients.

The second reason is to sound the elation call for all black men over the age of 40 (and even younger if you have a male relative who has had the disease) to have an annual rectal exam and PSA test so that any problem can be detected as early as possible. We owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to understand the preventative measures we can take, and to pursue treatment options if needed. To this end, I recommend a number of resources (see sidebar) to those who would heed my call.

Prostate cancer can be treated--if it is caught early. The bottom line is that we need to take action. If you are a black man age 40 or older, get tested and keep getting tested every year. And don't stop there--each and every person reading this column needs to commit to urging everyone they know to learn about prostate cancer; get tested; and make the lifestyle, health, and dietary choices that can help prevent the disease. Thank you for taking the time to listen. I didn't want to get prostate cancer--no one does. However, if rye helped even one person take action to prevent this disease, or to detect it earlier so that he can survive it, then this experience is a worthwhile one.

PROSTATE CANCER RESOURCE GUIDE

BOOKS

Battling the Killer Within, by Thomas A. Farrington (Old Mountain Press; $16.99)

Prostate Cancer: A Survivor's Guide, by Don Kaltenbach with Tim Richards (Seneca House Press $16.95)

Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer, by Dr. Patrick C. Walsh and Janet Farrar Worthington (Warner Books; $25.95)

Prostate Cancer for Dummies, by Paul H. Lange & Christine Adamec (For Dummies; $21.99)

The Prostate Cancer Protection Plan, by Dr. Bob Arnot (Little Brown & Co.; $14.95)

WEBSITES

American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org)

National Cancer Institute (www.nci.nih.gov)

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (www.mskcc.org)

Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.com)

Howard University (www.huhosp.org)

FOUNDATIONS

Prostate Cancer Education and Support 630-795-1002 (www.ustoo.com)

National Prostate Cancer Coalition 888-245-9455 (www.4npcc.org)

LOCAL RESOURCES

To find local resources, including PSA screenings, go to the American Cancer Society's Website at www.cancer.org, click on "In My Community," and enter your Zip code and/or city. A list of ACS programs and services will appear.