Health Conversations Between Black Men #2
- Shawn Kennedy
- Sep 28
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 29
"A later prostate biopsy revealed that four of Derwin’s 12 samples taken from his prostate were malignant, although he felt perfectly fine health wise."
While undergoing my own prostate cancer journey in 2024, I happened to ask my brother, Derwin Kennedy, who is two years older than me, if he had a PSA screening before. He asked me, “What’s a PSA?” After I explained that PSA is a prostate-specific antigen blood test used to detect if a man’s PSA level is within the normal range, Derwin said that he probably did, since he gets routine blood work done. I explained that a PSA screening is not part of the complete blood count (CBC) or lipid profile tests given during an annual physical exam. I asked Derwin to make an appointment for his PSA screening. In October 2024, his PSA was elevated. Six months later in April 2025, he repeated the test which reflected an even higher reading. A later prostate biopsy revealed that four of Derwin’s 12 samples taken from his prostate were malignant, although he felt perfectly fine health wise.
Over the next three months, my conversations with Derwin intensified as we discussed various options for his treatment plan. I had him to request access to his patient portal from both health facilities so that he could have access to his own medical records. Derwin experienced racial disparity from one urologist, making him feel like he was just a number and not a person. I accompanied him on his next doctor visit and felt pertinent information was not being shared with Derwin related to a viable treatment plan that did not include surgery. Derwin wanted to start a treatment plan as soon as possible but I asked him not to make a final decision until he also spoke with a radiation oncologist. Once Derwin found a good team of doctors at Rush Hospital, they provided further details of a viable treatment plan, which would include a MRI and CT scan of his pelvis, six months of hormone therapy to suppress his testosterone, and 25 low dose radiation treatments. Derwin feels he is now in good hands! (Health Conversations Between Black Men #1 can be accessed at https://www.strategiesjustice.com/post/health-conversations-between-black-men.)
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