How One Black Man’s Cancer Battle Inspired His Activism
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Derrick Butts was 53 years outdated when he was identified with prostate cancer. Adhering to his productive therapy, he teamed up with his father and fellow prostate most cancers survivor, Thomas, to compose about their encounters battling the ailment. Prostate Cancer: A Loved ones Affair, released in 2019, explained to the tale of three generations of prostate cancer (Derrick’s grandfather, Thomas Butts, Sr. passed absent from the ailment in 1995) and two generations of survivors. Derrick and his father had been intent on sharing how they greater their odds for longevity submit-surgical procedure and to have a high quality-of-lifestyle right after prostate cancer.
Derrick has continued his advocacy as co-founder of the Prostate Most cancers Consciousness Alliance-DMV, a Washington, D.C.-location nonprofit built to arrive at local adult males with proactive prostate cancer schooling. He spoke to Black Well being Matters about his prostate most cancers journey and serving as a resource for other Black men working with the condition.
Black Health Matters: How were being you initial identified with prostate most cancers?
Derrick Butts: I have a family members background my father, grandfather, and uncle all experienced prostate most cancers. Due to the fact of that, I had been monitoring my prostate wellness since I was 38. In 2015, I noticed my PSA rose from 3.32 to 4.32. But I had no facet effects—I was asymptomatic. Mainly because I had been acquiring my PSA checked on a yearly basis, the increase prompted me to get a biopsy, but the to start with health practitioner did not give me a clear indicator of nearly anything. A second health care provider did not give a obvious answer possibly but sent me to a professional at the Countrywide Institutes of Wellbeing (NIH). That was the 1st sign that I had prostate cancer. Finding diagnosed took 7 months.
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Black Overall health Matters: Why is it so challenging for Black males to get diagnosed?
Derrick Butts: I operate into gentlemen who aren’t routinely heading to the physician since they really don’t have coverage or never really feel the have to have to proactively test their PSA mainly because they are not experiencing any suffering or indications. People who do see a doctor are frequently instructed they do not want a PSA for the reason that they are not previous enough—and these health professionals say that with no even being aware of the person’s loved ones history.
Black Wellbeing Matters: What led to the launch of your nonprofit?
Derrick Butts: I noticed there was a authentic have to have here for schooling. We began the nonprofit to provide prostate cancer assistance, share companies, examine therapies/systems for those people in the DC Maryland-Virginia spot, and share prostate most cancers survivor stories. A lot of adult males, for instance, did not know they could go to distinct medical amenities in the place like Howard University Medical center, INOVA, George Washington University Clinic, or Johns Hopkins Clinical Heart. We then located that folks outside the house the DMV have been attending our virtual occasions to talk to about products and services and most cancers support the place they dwell. So now we’re searching to convey our assistance product to other underserved spots with a high focus of Black gentlemen with prostate cancer.
Black Overall health Matters: What information do you give to gentlemen who are newly diagnosed?
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Derrick Butts: I converse to 2-3 males a 7 days who have been freshly diagnosed—it’s normally mainly because they observed me on a webinar. The initially queries I talk to are, what’s your PSA amount, and do you have a household history? That information lets me know how or if they have considered about their prostate most cancers journey. I also examine treatment possibilities and in which they can go for a second belief. If they’re married, I convey to them to make guaranteed they have an in-depth dialogue with their wife, wife or husband, or partner. This experience will really feel like a roller coaster, so it’s crucial to have a cheerleader to guidance you on this journey. No 1 should really at any time navigate a most cancers journey on your own.
Black Wellness Issues: What does this get the job done imply to you as a survivor?
Derrick Butts: If you look at stats, 1 in 8 guys will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. If you’re Black, it’s 1 in 5. When you start off supplying men and women figures [in terms of the prevalence of prostate cancer in Black men, particularly those with a family history], it seriously hits household that it’s essential to know their PSA figures and get ahead of this condition. Every single gentleman is going to be diagnosed at a distinct stage, and our target is assistance them to capture prostate most cancers early. I hope to share my and other men’s stories to allow them know there is existence after prostate most cancers.
Derrick A. Butts pictured with his father, Thomas A. Butts.

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