Kudos to Diversity Inc. for sharing this story about prostate cancer. Too often, the disease is ignored and there are fewer treatment options if the disease goes undiagnosed. I used to work with Ron at NJCU and I'm so pleased to hear that he's doing well. Best to you, Ron!

I'm an African American (AA) male and can relate so closely to his story. My father died of this deadly disease in 1997 and I was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. The bad news was I had cancer but the good news was I was going to survive my doctor told me. Like Rev. Paige I was mad and upset, but I never asked the question, why me? My mother was so inspirational to me getting through this and I don't know if I could have made it without her support. Additional I had a great Physician that was not satisfied with my PSA being 3.1 on my visit and he tested me the second time and it dropped back down to 2.8 he immediately sent me to a urologist. I have carried the word to AA males about getting tested. I have two close friends and we were all diagnosed within 6 - 7 months of each other. After having this disease I found there were many males in the same situation but did not talk about it. Through God, my wife and family I'm a survivor and I will continue to spread the word. I have a son that is 26 and I'm encouraging him to start his testing immediately. As well my wife and my relationship with God provided me with a totally different view of relationships.

I would like to thank Ron Paige and Foulis Peacock for sharing their stories! It is critical that Black men start to discuss prostate cancer in our communiites. We hear so often about men who refuse to get checked when early detection is so important. Many communities across the country are starting to organize and educate themselves regarding prostate cancer. In my role at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle I work with community organizations to educate low income and minority communites about cancer research. If your community would like information to share regarding prostate cancer and participating in research studies please contact me.

I am glad we are hearing more of people advocating for regular doctor check ups. It is something more people need to do. I go every year for my check up, more so after my mother passed away from cancer. My hope is that someday, the blood tests or body scanning becomes part of a regular check up. I know it costs money, but look how much money would be saved if cancer is found early; there would not be the amount of chemotherapy or raditation sessions which all costs about $1,000 per session. Plus more lives saved - how can you put a price on that?!

Keep up the good work!

I, too, appreciate Rev. Ron Paige's story about his early diagnosis and the treatment he received for prostate cancer. I am one of the people he talked about who felt quite healthy and avoided a digital exam for prostate cancer five years. In a routine physical, my G.P. discovered an enlarged prostate, then, after the blood tests were in, a PSA that was up to 73. He referred me to a Urologist for a biopsy and I discovered a Gleason Scale of 8 out of 10, with 10 being terminal. I, too, like Rev. Paige, have a wonderful spiritual partner who has stood by me in thick and thin. We are seeing this through together.

First, I had to reduce the size of the prostate. Then, after doing that in four months, I had to decide on the course of treatment. My toughest job was changing my insurance from an HMO to a PPO where I could get my doctor and treatment of choice. Fortunately, HealthNet, my HMO, also had a PPO, so they could not turn me down. Soon after the switch, I took a Color Doplar Exam which revealed the cancer was about to move out of the prostate gland and into the bladder and the seminal vessels.

I have two friends who allowed this to happen and they are no longer with us. The next day I was at the office of Dr. , a prostate oncology specialist. Together we agreed upon Androgen Deprivation Therapy as my treatment, because with radiation or surgery there was only a 50$ chance that we could get all of the cancer. I began the treatment that day, and it has been working for me. After dealing with my cancer, daily, for 13 months I succeeded in getting the PSA down from 105 to .004. I then went on Intermittant Androgen Deprivation Therapy. Now, while my testosterone has come back somewhat, and the cancer with it, it has not risen to dangerous levels in my body, as my last reading was .64. If it does, I may return to the full Androgen Deprivation Therapy, or choose Radiation at that point. I thank God for the friends and relatives around me who have been helping me through this challenge.

I, too, was once told that I might have cancer as my PSA level was extremely high at this one reading. However, the next PSA one week later was in normal limits.

What is it with men and their health? When I turned 40 my physicain told me that I needed yearly check-ups (physical exams) including the PSA. I've been faithful to these exams. Additionally, all people are responsible for their own health issues--keep up.

I am scientist/consultant at a major pharmaceutical company. I also happen to be a Black Christian male in my mid 40s. My current job is to speak with physicians and patients about the medicines that my company makes, which are excellent and save lives.

As a Christian, I appreciate the sanctity of not questioning why adversity comes our way, but as a scientist, it is my role to investigate the nature of disease. I am also a natural born meat eater, which makes some of my recent findings a little hard to swallow. :-)

The following story aired on ABC News recently regarding the REVERSAL OF PROSTATE CANCER with significant changes to diet, exercise and stress management (prayer):

Here is the link to the actual PNAS journal article:

I am wondering if all these emerging reports are related... foods that break down to yield an acidic body pH = a higher propensity for cancer, while foods that break down to yield an alkaline body pH = a lower propensity for cancer???

Doctors always mention diet and exercise, but there may be more to those fleeting words than we realize.

Editors Note: DiversityInc has not fact checked this post nor do we endorse it

A must read for all men!

Thanks for all the comments and the story in DiversityInc. I am a Prostate Cancer "survivor". Let's be clear, there is very little reason to die from this disease. Early detection, through regular doctor exams is key. Black men need to get over the uneasiness of rectal exams, etc. If your family has a history of cancer, as my family did, you need to get checked early, like in your 30's and NEVER stop. The PSA is a easy, less invasive exam, but get ALL the exams to be safe for you and your FAMILY!

I am very pleased that Rev. Paige shared his story. I was diagnosed with prostrate cnacer a year ago and I had a PSA of 4.2 and then 4.6 about 7 days later. In one section of 12 needle biopsies the cancer had a Gleason score of 8 with 6 of the other sections having a Gleason of 6. A Gleason score of 8 means that the cancer in that area is more agressive. I mention this only to help people become aware that a man can have a more aggressive form of cancer and still have a relative "low" PSA. The referral is generally made when the PSA is over 4.0. Mine was caught on my annual physical - again to echo Rev. Paige - regualr checkups are essential!!!

The second thing I wish to mention is my urologist told me that when a person who is in their 50's or younger and their PSA starts to increase, they should see a urologist. Research, apparantly, is beginning to show that in younger men, even a slight increase in the PSA level could indicate prostarte cnacer so it is best to see a specialist.

My urologist also said that my son should have his first screening as a baseline at around 35 years of age. Conventional medical thought says 40 but I did tell my son that in 9 years he needs his first prostrate exam!!

(I was 56 when diagnosed)