Walnut Foundation hosts Third Prostate Cancer Screening in the Durham Region

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Walnut Foundation continues to make a huge impact in the lives of men in the Black, African, and Caribbean community. As a non-profit organization dedicated to providing prostate support and increased awareness of men’s health interest, they play an educational and motivational role in Canada.

On Saturday, April 6^th, 2024, it will hold PSA: Detect and Protect, which is a free prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood testing at no cost for men 40 years and older at the Durham Community Centre in Oshawa. This community outreach initiative is a proactive strategy that involves outreach, education and action to address the disproportional representation of Black men as is seen in the statistical data.

The Walnut Foundation since its inception has been at the forefront of fulfilling its mission. This mission is to ensure Black men are supported before, during and after a prostate cancer diagnosis. It is concerned about data which show that there is a disproportionate number of Black men who are dying prematurely from prostate cancer. It has presented troubling. Data shows that:

• A Black man is diagnosed with prostate cancer every 13 seconds
• 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Black men are 2x as likely to die from prostate cancer than other populations
• If detected late, the survival rate drops to 30% at five years
• If detected early, the 10-year survival rate is almost 100%

Walnut Foundation seeks to normalize the conversation and have open dialogue and frank discussion with Black men about these emotionally sensitive and deep feelings regarding their risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. This free and forthcoming communication sheds light on valuable information for men. Prostate cancer is the most common one that is diagnosed among Canadian men.

No man is immune from it as long as he has a prostate organ, and the risk increases as a man age. The earlier a man gets tested the better, ideally starting at the age of 40 years old. The symptoms may go unnoticed, and not show up during the early stages. Some of the symptoms that men should look out for are:

• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in the pee or semen

If the cancer spreads outside the prostate, symptoms may include:

• Bone pain
• Weight loss
• Kidney problems

In an email from Anthony Henry, President of the Walnut Foundation on Wednesday, March 13^th, 2024, he presents details about the third prostate cancer screening that targets Black men. The first one was held at TAIBU community Health Centre in Scarborough, and the second at the Jamaican Canadian Centre in North York. This third screening will be facilitated with collaboration from community partners such as: the Princess Margaret Hospital, TAIBU, and the Durham Community Health Centre.

Henry states, “The Walnut Foundation has been very active in peer-to-peer support and education around prostate cancer. Over the past few months, we have engaged various stakeholders in hosting prostate cancer screening days in select Black communities.” He states further that, “It takes a village to solve systemic issues, so we are asking for your support in engaging your networks to make this screening day a success. Please share this information in your network and proactively support this effort. Speak to the: leaders, influencers, activists, and family members of Black men aged 40 + who:

• Do not have a medical provider.
• Have not had a PSA blood test in 12 months, or who do not qualify for a free PSA test via OHIP.”

Registration can be made at the website: http://recap.link/psaprotect

Anyone interested in learning about the Walnut Foundation can check:

Website: thewalnutfoundation.com

Instagram: @thewalnutfoundation

Facebook: the walnut foundation