With Black men having a 70 percent higher rate of developing prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from the disease, the outreach to this demographic remains dire. In an effort to bring awareness to the disparity and encourage education on subject, the Grillmaster Grill-off was held. Loaded with their secret treasured recipes and tender chicken – men, partners, survivors family members and friends joined in the culinary competition at Lonnie Miller Park to relate the importance of testing for men age 45-50 or older who are most at risk.
Broadcast on Facebook live, participants enjoyed a catered Lunch and giveaways while receiving the information. The event is a series sponsored by Protalks to expose grassroots communities to the disease.
Protalks ambassador A.J. Merriweather who was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer and has had more than 16 surgeries professed, “Black men need to be more serious and conscious of our health. We live to die not wanting our family members to know what’s bothering us,” said Protalks ambassador and cancer survivor A.J. Merriweather. “We are going to meet them where they are and share information any way we can,” he said.
The Q&A session was held with Dr’s Jonathan Melquist, MD, and Dr Trevanne Matthews answering prostate cancer questions concerning prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, family history, healthy eating habits and next steps. “Coordinators took advantage of the opportunity to distribute prostate health pamphlets to the captive audience at the event.
The event is affiliated with the University of Florida Cares2 team, Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health MD Anderson Cancer Center, River City Florida Blue to address prostate cancer research and health disparities in the Black community of Duval County. Engagement includes learning to take steps to improve prostate health outcomes for males age 18 – 100 to advance science that improves cancer health equity among Blacks and Latinos in Florida and California.
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