NBA Legend and Prostate Cancer Survivor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Featured in New Public Service Announcement by the Prostate Cancer Foundation and NBA Cares Launched on Father’s Day

June 21, 2021June 22, 2021 Zhane Squire

PSA focuses on encouraging men to get screened for prostate cancer and knowing the risks

LOS ANGELES, Calif. and NEW YORK, June 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and six-time NBA Champion, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and prostate cancer survivor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and NBA Cares in a new public service announcement (PSA) to create awareness about an important men’s health issue, prostate cancer. The PSA first aired on broadcast and across social media on Father’s Day, June 20^th, during the NBA Playoffs. By encouraging men to get screened and know their risks, the new PSA also presents an opportunity to address inequities in health care.

One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, but for Black men, one in seven will develop the disease. Black men are over 75% more likely to develop prostate cancer than Caucasian men, and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease. When it comes to equality, including in health care, Abdul-Jabbar refuses to be silent. Six months ago, he revealed his previous battle with prostate cancer, recognizes the inequities and is now an advocate for better health care.

For more than 25 years, PCF has been on the forefront of battling this insidious disease and has been on a mission to save men’s lives by advancing research, accelerating treatments, and providing ongoing education for families affected by prostate cancer.

“We are honored that NBA Cares has partnered with PCF and simultaneously excited and humbled to have Kareem be an eloquent voice for men’s health and health equity, both of which have been part of PCF’s mission since its inception,” said PCF President and CEO Jonathan Simons, MD. “Prostate cancer presents with sobering statistics in the Black community and this partnership with PCF, NBA Cares, and Abdul-Jabbar will provide heightened visibility in raising awareness and potentially save the lives of countless more men.”