Prostate Cancer Guide for African-American Men and Their Families Now Available

Publication Offers Facts and Guidance for Hardest-Hit Male Population and
Features Personal Thoughts from Charlie Wilson, D.L. Hughley and Snoop Dogg
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
A new guide, Straight Talk for African-American Men and their Families, is now
available from the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). It was produced in alliance
with Charlie Wilson, famed R&B singer and recent prostate cancer survivor.
African-American men are 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate
cancer and more than 2.4 times more likely to die from it than Caucasian men. 

The publication is being launched in conjunction with Charlie Wilson`s visit to
the 10,000-member congregation of Los Angeles` Faith Central Bible Church in
Inglewood this Sunday, September 20. He will be a featured speaker at the
church`s 10:00 am service led by the congregation`s pastor, Bishop Kenneth C.
Ulmer. In addition to being a cancer survivor, Wilson lost his father, Bishop
Oscar W. Wilson to prostate cancer in June. 

"When I was diagnosed I was shocked to learn that prostate cancer is as common
for men as breast cancer is for women. I was staggered to learn that the
prospects are even worse for African-American men," explains Wilson. "I was
lucky. Early detection and treatment saved my life. I have my wife, Mahin, to
thank for insisting that I get screened." 

Since his diagnosis, Wilson has taken his message to all men, building awareness
whenever he can. At every performance he talks to audiences about his experience
with prostate cancer. He has also taken the awareness message to U.S. troops in
the Middle East, having made two performance visits to Iraq, Afghanistan and
Kuwait this year. 

"I`ve spent the majority of my life performing. It`s time for me to now be
informing," says Wilson. "When Mahin and I learned that the PCF is giving hope
to millions of men and their families by supporting research to discover new
treatments and a cure for this disease, we knew we had to become involved and
support their work." 

In appreciation for his outreach and support, the PCF named one of its recent
Creativity Research Awards after Wilson. It was granted to Adam Dicker, MD, PhD,
at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Dicker is testing a new theory of metastasis
that may result in the development of a new therapeutic strategy to stop the
spread of prostate cancer cells throughout the body. 

"We are very fortunate to have Charlie bring this crucial message to the
African-American community, a part of our population that bears a
disproportionate burden for prostate cancer," said Jonathan W. Simons, president
and CEO of the PCF. "As a survivor with a family history of prostate cancer, he
talks from experience and speaks from the heart." 

In addition to providing facts and guidance on prostate cancer for
African-Americans, the new Straight Talk guide also features personal thoughts
from Wilson`s fellow entertainers, D.L. Hughley and Snoop Dogg. A copy of the
guide can be ordered for delivery by mail or downloaded online at
www.pcf.org/charliewilson. 

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the world`s largest philanthropic source of
support for prostate cancer research focused on discovering better treatments
and a cure for prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than
$370 million and provided funding to more than 1,500 research projects at nearly
200 institutions worldwide. The PCF also advocates for greater awareness of
prostate cancer and more governmental research funds. PCF advocacy has helped
produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer since 1994.
More information about prostate cancer and the PCF can be found at www.pcf.org. 

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Prostate Cancer Foundation
Dan Zenka, APR
Vice President, Communications
310-570-4714 (Direct)
dzenka@pcf.org

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