2009-10-28 03:53:31 - Project to Inform and Engage
200,000 African Americans
About Prostate Cancer by 2012
Under the Guidance of
Dr. Stanley K Frencher, Jr.

Los Angeles - The barber shop has been a traditional haven for black men to gather amongst themselves and bond. Dating all the way back to the Civil Rights era, it's been recognized as an almost sacred community space for the gathering of African American men to secure more than just a haircut, but also conversation, fellowship and reaffirm a sense of brotherhood. Idealized in a plethora of Hollywood movies even, the barbershop is perhaps, outside of the Black church, of one of the most solid foundations in the Black community.

Dr. Bill J. Releford, via his Diabetic Amputation Prevention (DAP) Foundation has elevated the position of the barbershop recently, with the introduction of his Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program

(BBHOP), screening nearly 10,000 African American men nationwide for diabetes and high blood pressure in an atmosphere they are most comfortable in. On November 7, 2009, the vision will be expanded with the introduction of PEP Talk: the Prostate Education Project. Under the direction of UCLA physician and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar, Dr. Stanley K. Frencher, Jr., PEP Talk will add the issue of prostate cancer to the very necessary health discussion among Black men, by distributing culturally appropriate educational materials to African American men in over 100 barbershops around Los Angeles.

African Americans have the highest rate of prostate cancer of any racial group in the US, accounting for 42% of new prostate cancer cases each year. "African-American men have the lowest life expectancy of any racial or ethnic group in the United States," said Dr. Bill J. Releford, D.P.M., and founder of the DAP Foundation. "That is why it is paramount for us to address these health care disparities, and the black barbershop is a place where African-African men are comfortable talking about issues that affect their lives."

What remains less well known is whether early detection (screening) and treatment lowers mortality. In fact, diagnostic work-up and treatment can lead to debilitating complications. Yet, few African American men understand fully the complex issues surrounding early detection, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

"African-American men must be particularly vigilant in making informed decisions about prostate cancer," says Dr. Frencher. "It is up to us as physicians and public health advocates to equip African-American men with the information they need to make important decisions. In doing so, Pep Talk is a way to start rebuilding the relationship between medical providers and African-American men long marred by scientific atrocities and cultural barriers."

Beginning November 7, 2009, BBHOP will pilot Pep Talk in select barbershops in Los Angeles to both educate and empower African American men about prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Volunteers will assist men interested in seeking further information or care by coordinating referrals to local physicians.

The LA Initiative plans to screen more than 2,500 men from 10AM to 4PM, however PEP Talk materials will also be provided in select barbershops to reach 1000 men. The goal of PEP Talk is to engage more than 200,000 African-American men in a conversation about prostate cancer by 2012.

Prostate Education Project (PEP Talk) and The Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program in partnership with Charles Drew University, U.C.L.A., Vasamed and Entra Health Systems, will offer culturally appropriate prostate cancer information, free diabetes, high blood pressure and PAD (Peripheral Artery Disease) screenings at the following locations in Los Angeles:

-The New Millennium BS ,4310 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 9004
- In The Cut, 220 East Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301
-The New Millennium BS, 1207 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA, 90302,
- Legends Barbershop, 5366 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036,
-Inglewood's Finest, 122 S. Market St., Inglewood, CA 90301

PEP Talk will also encourage African-American men to better understand the benefits, harms, and uncertainties of available diagnosis and treatment options for prostate cancer. Making the proper treatment decision can be as challenging as dealing with the news that you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This was the case with B.H., an attendee of BBHOP Men's Health and Empowerment Summit held in February 2009 where more than 75 African-American men underwent prostate cancer screening. "I wasn't sure what type of treatment I should have," B.H. remarked, "but after discussing my options with Dr. Frencher I was able to make a decision I felt comfortable with." "Discussions like this in places where we feel comfortable are important," states Trey Alexandre, a local barber in Los Angeles.

Founded by Dr. Bill J. Releford, D.P.M. the BBHOP seeks to empower African-American men to better understand cardiovascular diseases through education, testing and prevention. The program has screened nearly 10,000 African-American men in almost 200 black-owned barbershops in 23 cities since December 2007.

Visit www.blackbarbershop.org to see all participating barbershop locations.

About Dr. Stanley Frencher, M.D., M.P.H.
Dr Stanley Frencher Jr is an American College of Surgeons/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholar working to improve the health of vulnerable populations. With a focus on prostate cancer screening and awareness patterns among minorities, he has collaborated with Dr. Bill Releford, founder and executive director of the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program (BBHOP). Together, Drs. Frencher and Releford are working to equip men with the information needed to deal with this complex health care problem.

About Dr. Bill Releford

Dr. Bill Releford began private practice in 1990 and started the Diabetic Foot Institute, a facility dedicated exclusively to the reduction of diabetes-related amputations in high-risk populations. Most patients were oblivious to the standard of care that should be expected during the occurrence of a diabetic foot complication or the unfortunate recommendation for lower-extremity amputation. Dr. Releford's personal and professional mission is to create innovative ways to decrease diabetes-related amputations. "Five Colors To Better Health" is his new book dedicated to a clear understanding of how eating a variety of colors can reduce your risk of diabetes and high blood pressure as well as other chronic diseases. Visit with him at www.5ColorsADay.com.

About the Diabetic Amputation Prevention (DAP) Foundation
The DAP Foundation's mission is to help decrease the diabetes-related amputation rate among high-risk populations around the world and address the escalating number of individuals with undetected cardiovascular disease. The DAP Foundation's African American Men's Outreach Program seeks to partner with community groups and organizations to reduce the incidence of health conditions that adversely affect African American males by utilizing education, prevention and early detection through screening activities. DAP's efforts have already been successfully duplicated in other metropolitan areas, such as Oakland, Chicago, Harlem, St. Louis, Kansas City, Atlanta and New Orleans. For more information on participating or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.blackbarbershop.org.