It's World Cancer Day. Here's why Black men face higher risk.
It’s World Cancer Day, and as Canada begins Black History Month, Movember is shining a light on an urgent health inequity: Black men currently face disproportionately higher rates of prostate cancer and worse outcomes than non-Black men.
Here's what the stats say
Research from the Canadian Cancer Society shows that about 1 in 8 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Among them, Black men of African or Caribbean ancestry face nearly double the risk of diagnosis and are more likely to experience severe outcomes.
For more than two decades, Movember has been a global leader in funding, researching, and raising awareness for prostate cancer. Yet despite global progress in detection and treatment, disparities persist with some groups - such as Black men - facing worse outcomes.
Early detection is critical to bridging this gap: when the cancer is caught while still confined to the prostate, survival exceeds 98% beyond five years. But if diagnosis comes too late and the cancer spreads, roughly 75% of men do not survive, highlighting the need for timely testing and equitable care.
Partnering to drive change
To address these disparities, Movember is working with The Walnut Foundation, Canada’s only Black-led organization supporting Black men affected by prostate cancer.
Through targeted grant funding, we are helping The Walnut Foundation deliver culturally tailored education campaigns to strengthen health literacy and encourage regular screenings in Black communities.
This funding supports a variety of programs, including community events, conferences, presentations, and social media campaigns, all designed to increase awareness, promote early detection, and improve treatment outcomes. By building trust and providing culturally relevant information, the initiatives aim to save lives and help close the equity gap in prostate cancer care.
The Walnut Foundation is already putting this approach into action, helping Black men access timely testing and directly saving lives — like Rensford Dehaan, who discovered stage two prostate cancer after learning about the risks through community outreach.
Our ongoing support and grant funding will only supercharge this impact, enabling The Walnut Foundation to reach even more Black men and save an even greater number of lives.
This work matters - and it’s powered by you
World Cancer Day and Black History Month both serve as a reminder that early testing is critical, and that the colour of a man’s skin should never determine his chance of survival.
Thanks to our Incredible Mo community, these vital programs can continue reaching the men who need them most. Every moustache and every donation helps us close the gap to ensure more Black men have the resources and support to get tested early and live longer, healthier lives.
Learn more about The Walnut Foundation.