BlackDoctor.org was proud to partner with ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) and Novartis at the Blitz the Barriers event on Sept. 8 in Atlanta. Watch our interview as ZERO’s President and CEO Courtney Bugler sits down with Ellis Dean to share her personal and professional mission to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly in communities most at risk.
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Bugler emphasizes the importance of family health history, early PSA blood tests, and annual checkups, while also addressing the stigma and misinformation surrounding prostate cancer screening. She underscores that catching cancer early gives men a 99% survival chance and urges both men and their families — especially women, who often influence healthcare decisions — to push for the right tests and not accept dismissive responses from providers.
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There are also systemic challenges, Bugler explains, including vague screening guidelines and disparities in how primary care physicians approach Black men’s risk. ZERO is addressing this by educating both patients and providers, advocating for updated screening guidelines, and expanding community-based programs.
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ZERO is on a mission to save 100,000 lives over the next decade by expanding its work into more cities and rural areas. Through events and initiatives, like Blitz the Barriers, ZERO is working to close gaps in awareness, screening, and care — focusing on Black men, rural communities, and military populations, all of whom face higher risks and greater challenges accessing healthcare.
Get involved, visit zerocancer.org/blitz and zerocancer.org/september for tools, resources, and volunteer opportunities.
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