Charlie Wilson A new guide, Straight Talk for African-American Men and their Families, is now available from the Prostate Cancer Foundation

PCF).

It was produced in alliance with Charlie Wilson, famed R&B singer and recent prostate cancer survivor. African-American men are 1.6 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 2.4 times more likely to die from it than Caucasian men.

“When I was diagnosed

was shocked to learn that prostate cancer is as common for men as breast cancer is for women. I was staggered to learn that the prospects are even worse for African-American men, explains Wilson. I was lucky. Early detection and treatment saved my life. I have my wife, Mahin, to thank for insisting that I get screened,” Wilson said.

Since his diagnosis, Wilson has taken his message to all men, building awareness whenever he can. At every performance he talks to audiences about his experience with prostate cancer. He has also taken the awareness message to U.S. troops in the Middle East, having made two performance visits to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait this year.

In appreciation for his outreach and support, the PCF named one of its recent Creativity Research Awards after Wilson. It was granted

to Adam Dicker, MD, PhD, at Thomas Jefferson University. “We are very fortunate to have Charlie bring this crucial message to the African-American community, a part of our population that bears a disproportionate burden for prostate cancer”, said Jonathan W. Simons, president and CEO of the PCF. As a survivor with a family history of prostate cancer, he talks from experience and speaks from the heart.

In addition to providing facts and guidance on prostate cancer for African- Americans, the new Straight Talk guide also features personal thoughts from Wilson's fellow entertainers, D.L. Hughley and Snoop Dogg. A copy of the guide can be ordered for delivery by mail or downloaded online at www.pcf.org/charliewilson.