An academic and community partnership to fight cancer.
Prostate Cancer
Advancing Equitable Prostate Cancer Screening and Care
The SF CAN Prostate Cancer Team works to reduce prostate cancer disparities through early detection of aggressive disease, shared decision-making, and partnerships that improve access to high-quality care across San Francisco.
Why Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men in San Francisco and is one of SF CAN's five priority cancers. While many prostate cancers grow slowly, others can be aggressive and life-threatening.
The Prostate Cancer Team focuses on improving early detection of aggressive disease while reducing disparities in prostate cancer outcomes, particularly among Black men who experience disproportionately high prostate cancer mortality.
Our Current Priorities
Smarter Screening, Smarter Treatment (S3T)
The Prostate Cancer Team developed the Smarter Screening, Smarter Treatment (S3T) initiative to improve early detection of aggressive prostate cancer while reducing unnecessary testing and treatment. The program promotes risk-stratified screening that helps identify men most likely to benefit from early detection.
Peer Navigation
A new peer navigation program is being developed to support patients through diagnosis, treatment decisions, and communication with their healthcare team, with an emphasis on improving care for Black men and other populations disproportionately affected by prostate cancer.
Meet the Team
Nynikka Palmer, DrPH, MPH
Prostate Cancer Team Lead
Associate Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, UCSF
Partners
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African American Churches in San Francisco
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Alameda County Public Health Department Office of Urban Male Health
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Arthur H. Coleman Community Health Foundation
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Bayview Hunters Point Clinic at the Arthur H. Coleman Medical Center
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California Cancer Plan
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California Urological Association
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Kaiser Permanente San Francisco
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Rafiki Coalition For Health and Wellness
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San Francisco Department of Public Health
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Tabernacle Community Development Corporation
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UCSF Abundant Life Health Ministries Initiative
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UCSF Health, Primary Care
Prostate Cancer in San Francisco
New cases of prostate cancer have been dropping until recent years, most dramatically among African American men, although prostate cancer deaths and cases remain highest among African American men.
Prostate Cancer Information and Resources
Events
Prostate Cancer Action Network Meetings
We welcome community members to be part of the Prostate Cancer Action Network (PCAN). During these meetings, we share program and research updates, discuss feedback, and gather input on research efforts, upcoming community engagement events, and new ideas to increase Prostate Cancer awareness and early detection.
Meetings are held via Zoom on the First Friday of every month, 1pm-2:30pm. Please email us at sfcan-prostate@ucsf.edu for log in information.
Support Group
Prostate Health Support Group for African American Men
We welcome African American/Black men to join our Prostate Health Support Group.
The meeting is held every 1st and 3rd Friday via Zoom, 6:30pm-8:30pm PT. Please email us at sfcan-prostate@ucsf.edu for log in information.
What is the prostate?
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The prostate is a small gland below the bladder.
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It makes the fluid that carries sperm.
What is prostate cancer?
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An abnormal growth of cells inside the prostate.
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Cancer can kill when it spreads to other parts of the body.
Early detection & screening: The PSA test
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The primary test for prostate cancer, the PSA blood test, has been controversial and there are currently no guidelines to inform systematic testing.
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The debate is due to the fact that all prostate cancers are not the same. Yet the PSA test cannot differentiate between “low-risk” disease that does not threaten life, and “high-risk” disease that is aggressive, will spread, and can be fatal.
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Because the majority of prostate cancers are low-risk, past large-scale PSA testing in the general population led to extensive over-treatment of low-risk disease, often with debilitating side effects.
How can I find prostate cancer early?
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There are usually no signs or symptoms.
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A simple blood test, the “PSA” (Prostate Specific Antigen) can help find prostate cancer early, when it is small and can be cured.
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African American men ages 45–70 should decide if the PSA test is right for them.
How to get screened?
If you have a Primary Care Provider (PCP):
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Talk to your PCP about screening availability
If you don’t have Primary Care Provider (PCP):
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Find a medical home, such as the Bayview Hunters Point Clinic at the Arthur H. Coleman Medical Center
What does my PSA test mean?
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First, it is important to know your number!
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An elevated PSA test (over 2.0) could mean something is going on in your prostate. It could be:
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Infection
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An enlarged prostate
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Prostate cancer
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If your PSA continues to increase, your doctor may:
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Do more tests
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Ask you to see a specialist (Urologist) to have a biopsy (a tiny piece of the prostate is removed and examined under a microscope). Only a biopsy can find prostate cancer.
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What if I have prostate cancer?
There are different kinds of prostate cancer.
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Some are “low risk”—they grow slowly, and are unlikely to threaten life. Low risk prostate cancer can be managed with active surveillance – i.e., regular biopsies and PSA blood tests.
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Some prostate cancers are “high risk” —they grow quickly, and need to be treated early. Early treatment can save your life.
It is important to take the time to know and consider all your options. Don’t rush to a decision. Learn about your options by talking to:
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Urologist
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Radiation Oncology
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Medical Oncologist
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Prostate cancer survivor
For more information, please see this brochure
About Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer Thriver Stories
James McCray, D.Min
In 2005, I participated in a screening event at my local church. My test came back with an abnormal result that I initially ignored. I was busy with family and my work as a pastor, and the results weren’t an immediate priority. A few months later, I was in a serious car accident and new tests revealed I had advanced prostate cancer. A doctor told me I couldn’t expect to live beyond five years. I was stunned and confused.
Through the comfort and guidance of friends, I was referred to UCSF where I underwent seven months of treatment. Ten years later, I remain cancer free and just celebrated my 65th birthday with my wife, children, and grandchildren.
Truly, I was "blessed," as they say within the Christian tradition, to have the support of friends and family and access to excellent medical care. I want to share my blessing with other African American men who might be unsure if they need screening or are fearful of it.
Spreading the word about SF CAN and screening is my way of giving back. I invite people to join the movement that seeks to add years to our lives, years that cancer too often steals from us. I don’t know if things would have been different if I’d followed up immediately on my first test results, but I am sure of one thing: I am a survivor of prostate cancer. I believe in screening and encourage men to have it.