Sentara cancer educators promote prostate cancer screening and awareness

“There’s no reason on this earth that man should’ve died from stage 4 prostate cancer. He just refused to get tested each year,” said 63-year-old Claude Hamiel about a friend of his. “I’m always telling my Black brothers to go get themselves checked.”

Since the age of 40, Hamiel has been getting yearly prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal exams (DRE) to check for prostate cancer. 

Unfortunately, Hamiel is an outlier. Only 33% of Black men in the U.S. report getting screened for prostate cancer each year, which is slightly lower than the 37% of White men who do.

Several reasons exist for this. One is historical mistrust of the healthcare system in the Black community. Another is stigma related to prostate screenings, which can involve a doctor examining a man’s prostate using their fingers. 

“At our screening events, we do a PSA blood test and don’t require that you also get a digital rectal exam,” said Lindsay Rushing, manager of the cancer community outreach team at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. “However, if you would like a DRE, we can definitely get you scheduled at one of our community care centers.”

Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in U.S. men. Roughly one out of eight men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.

In 2024, new guidelines were released recommending Black men and men at high risk begin screening between ages 40-45. Men with average risk can begin prostate cancer screening at age 50.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and as a result of the new guidelines, Sentara is prioritizing targeted prostate education and screenings to vulnerable populations. 

“Sentara ensures the highest quality of cancer care is provided at their facilities and aligns with the goals, metrics, and quality measures from the commission on cancer,” said Rushing.

Rushing’s team of cancer community educators in Hampton Roads are hard at work to ensure awareness and access to screenings are equitable. 

“We’re going out to where people are. Meeting them at churches, health fairs, and not just once but consistently,” said Betsy Carroll, Sentara cancer community health educator. "Them constantly seeing us helps repair mistrust.” 

Carroll appeared on local television and podcasts to discuss prostate cancer after former President Joe Biden’s diagnosis was announced.

Carroll is one of four cancer community health educators. In 2025, they have hosted and planned 17 prostate screening events across Hampton Roads and have screened a total of 152 men.

“Some of the regions we cover, like Western Tidewater, northeastern North Carolina, and those more rural areas, may not have facilities close by or resources to get to those facilities, so providing access is a huge deal,” said Rushing.

In September, Sentara will host its first-ever employee prostate screening event at Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, Virginia. 

Sentara is also partnering with Hampton University Proton Cancer Institute for their 4th Annual Prostate Cancer & Men's Health Awareness Fair on Sept. 27. 

Last year, there were more than 40 Sentara team members at the event, offering health education and prostate cancer screenings through a Sentara Mobile Care vehicle. In total, 135 Black men were screened for prostate cancer.

“This will be my third time going. I’ve got some guys I really care for and I put it to them, “I’ll pick you up, all you have to do is go down to this spot,’” said Hamiel. 

“It’s not just about you. It’s about the people you’ll leave behind. If you’ve got a mother, sister, or aunt, don’t nobody want to lose a loved one, especially not to something that can be prevented. If detected early, we can take care of this.”

For more information about prostate cancer, click here.