Expert Videos

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, describes how doctors diagnose prostate cancer and the tests needed to find out. He explains the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which checks the level of a protein that only the prostate makes, and the digital rectal exam (DRE), where the doctor will gently examine the prostate for abnormalities. He also talks about urine tests and MRI imaging tests.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health, explains that a prostate biopsy is a procedure that removes tissue samples from the prostate, and describes how it is usually done. If there is a concern for cancer your doctor may recommend a prostate biopsy. If the biopsy reveals that a tumor is present, it can tell how extensive the cancer is, how much of the prostate it occupies, and how aggressive it is likely to be.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, describes the stages and grades of prostate cancer. If you have cancer on your biopsy, the report will show the overall percentage of cancer in the tissue and a Gleason score. This score tells your doctor how abnormal the cancer cells are in the prostate. He also describes risk groups or grade groups, and the four main stages of prostate cancer.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health, provides an overview of the treatment options for prostate cancer. The treatment options he describes include radiation therapy (external beam radiation and brachytherapy), freezing the prostate tissue (cryoablation or cryotherapy), heating the prostate tissue (high-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU), hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Talk to your doctor about the treatment options available for your specific type and stage of prostate cancer.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, provides an overview of the surgical options for prostate cancer. He explains radical prostatectomy, which removes the prostate, some surrounding tissue, and a few lymph nodes. He also describes robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, and retropubic prostatectomy. Talk to your doctor about the surgical options available for your specific type and stage of prostate cancer.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses targeted drug treatments and personalized medicine for prostate cancer. Targeted drug therapies attack specific markers or abnormalities in the prostate cancer cells. Dr. Bonhomme explains that prostate cancers between individuals are not always alike, as they can be more or less aggressive and have different markers or proteins on the outside of their cells. Talk to your doctor about the treatment options available for your specific type and stage of prostate cancer.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health, provides an overview of watchful waiting, also called active surveillance, for prostate cancer. He explains that low-grade prostate cancer might not need treatment right away, and for some, it may never need to be treated. In such instances, doctors may recommend active surveillance with regular follow-up tests to monitor the progression of the tumor. If the tumor is progressing surgery or radiation may be required. Dr. Bonhomme also discusses other factors that may lead doctors to recommend active surveillance.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, a preventive medicine specialist and expert in men's health, discusses dietary factors that can impact prostate cancer. He talks about research studies that suggest diet may help prevent prostate cancer. Dr. Bonhomme talks about the role and benefits of maintaining a plant-based, low-fat, and high-fiber diet in reducing the risk of prostate cancer and reducing the progression of prostate cancer.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, explains the role of exercise and lifestyle in prostate cancer prevention and in slowing prostate cancer growth. He talks about research studies that suggest vigorous physical activity promotes DNA repair and reduces the risk of mortality for all causes, including prostate cancer. Other lifestyle factors he discusses include avoiding obesity, smoking, and drinking, and the importance of maintaining good sleeping habits and a positive mental attitude which help to strengthen the immune system.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses the importance of screening and early testing for prostate cancer in Black American men. Caribbean men of African descent and African American men have the world's highest incidence of prostate cancer, and more than twice the death rate when compared to whites. It is recommended that prostate cancer screening start at age 50 for most groups; however, as Dr. Bonhomme explains, Black men and men with family histories of prostate cancer should consider screening by age 45, perhaps even at age 40.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses the prevalence of prostate cancer among Black Americans compared to other groups. He explains that one in four Black men in the United States will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives, that Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other races, and that they are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses why Black men are less likely to be diagnosed early with prostate cancer. He discusses several factors including differences in access to care and care practices, racial bias in healthcare, and delayed care due to socioeconomic status or lack of insurance. Black Americans may be more affected by these barriers to cancer care than other Americans. Dr. Bonhomme also discusses the importance of increasing awareness of prostate cancer and diseases of the prostate.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses risk factors that might account for the higher prevalence of prostate cancer in Black American men, compared with other groups. Dr. Bonhomme discusses factors like diet, obesity, geography, family history, age, and gene changes that may increase the risk of prostate cancer, as well as smoking and chemical exposure. Dr. Bonhomme also describes how low vitamin D levels may play a role in the higher rate of prostate cancer among Black American men.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network, discusses how Black American men can achieve the best outcomes in prostate cancer. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers when detected and treated early. He also discusses advances in treatment and screening that are improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients.

Dr. Jean Bonhomme, MD, MPH, an expert in men's health and founder of the National Black Men's Health Network says that Black American men diagnosed with prostate cancer should realize that they are not alone. Dr. Bonhomme talks about some well-known Black men who also battled prostate cancer, including: Al Roker, Colin Powell, Harry Belafonte, Ken Griffey Sr., and Sidney Poitier. Dr. Bonhomme lists numerous support resources available for Black men.