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Authors

Sean Elliott, MD, MS, presents a streamlined, 30-minute approach to AUS insertion.

AUS placement: The 30-minute technique

Dr. De La Cerda provides an overview of a patient case involving a 68 year-old male presenting with severe back pain, with an analysis of the clinical presentation, workup, and medical history.

Bone Predominant mCRPC Patient Case

Video content above is prompted by the following:

What are your initial impressions of the case?

Video Series

The FDA has accepted a Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking approval of nivolumab (Opdivo) co-formulated with Halozyme’s proprietary recombinant human hyaluronidase (rHuPH20), or subcutaneous nivolumab, for the treatment of patients with all previously approved solid tumor indications for nivolumab as a monotherapy, monotherapy maintenance following completion of combination therapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Yervoy), or in combination with chemotherapy or cabozantinib (Cabometyx).

Nivolumab is currently approved under several indications, including in combination with ipilimumab for the first-line treatment of patients with intermediate- or poor-risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), in combination with cabozantinib for the first-line treatment of patients with advanced RCC, for the treatment of patients with advanced RCC who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy, and in combination with cisplatin and gemcitabine for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

The FDA is set to have a decision regarding the subcutaneous nivolumab formulation on or by December 29, 2024.

 According to a news release from Bristol Myers Squibb,

 approval of the formulation would make it the first and only subcutaneously administered PD-1 inhibitor.

“We believe subcutaneous nivolumab has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of patients, which is reinforced by the FDA’s acceptance of our application,” said Gina Fusaro, PhD, vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb, in the news release.

 “Opdivo is a foundational PD-1 inhibitor approved for many different types of cancer, and our continued investment in research that puts patients first remains a priority. If approved by the FDA, the subcutaneous administration of nivolumab would provide patients and their physicians with a new option that delivers the same well-known benefits as IV Opdivo but with the improved convenience of an injection administered in 3 to 5 minutes rather than a 30-to-60-minute infusion.”

The BLA submission is supported by findings from the phase 3 CheckMate-67T trial (NCT04810078), in which subcutaneous nivolumab met the study’s co-primary end points by demonstrating noninferiority to intravenous (IV) nivolumab regarding time average nivolumab serum concentration over 28 days (C

; geometric mean ratio [GMR}, 2.098; 90% CI, 2.001-2.200) and minimum serum concentration at a steady state (C

Data from the study, which were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium in San Francisco, California,

 also showed that subcutaneous nivolumab demonstrated noninferiority to IV nivolumab in the key powered secondary end point of objective response rate (ORR). Specifically, the subcutaneous arm demonstrated an ORR of 24.2% (95% CI, 19.0-30.0) per blinded independent central review (BICR), compared with 18.2% (95% CI, 13.6-23.6) in the IV arm.

The safety profile for subcutaneous nivolumab was consistent with that of the IV formulation. Among patients who received the subcutaneous formulation, 8.1% experienced injection-site reactions, with all being low-grade and transient. Deaths due to study drug toxicity occurred in 3 patients in the subcutaneous arm and 1 patient in the IV arm. Most deaths that occurred during the study were due to disease progression.

In total, the phase 3, open-label CheckMate-67T trial enrolled 495 patients with advanced or metastatic ccRCC who had received prior systemic therapy. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 1200 mg subcutaneous nivolumab plus rHuPH20 every 4 weeks (n = 248) or to 3 mg/kg IV nivolumab every 2 weeks (n = 247) for up to 2 years of treatment or until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, withdrawal, or death.

The co-primary pharmacokinetic end points for noninferiority testing were C

 of subcutaneous nivolumab vs IV nivolumab. The key secondary end point was ORR per BICR.

Final completion of the CheckMate-67T study is expected in January 2026.

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration accepts Bristol Myers Squibb’s application for subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase). News release. Bristol Myers Squibb. May 6, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. https://news.bms.com/news/corporate-financial/2024/U.S.-Food-and-Drug-Administration-Accepts-Bristol-Myers-Squibbs-Application-for-Subcutaneous-Nivolumab-nivolumab-and-hyaluronidase/default.aspx

2. Bristol Myers Squibb announces updated action date by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for subcutaneous nivolumab (nivolumab and hyaluronidase). News release. Published online and accessed May 21, 2024. https://investors.bms.com/iframes/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/Bristol-Myers-Squibb-Announces-Updated-Action-Date-by-the-U.S.-Food-and-Drug-Administration-for-Subcutaneous-Nivolumab-nivolumab-and-hyaluronidase/default.aspx

3. George S, Bourlon TB, Chacon MR, et al. Subcutaneous nivolumab (NIVO SC) vs intravenous nivolumab (NIVO IV) in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): Pharmacokinetics (PK), efficacy, and safety results from CheckMate 67T. 

4. A study of subcutaneous nivolumab versus intravenous nivolumab in participants with previously treated clear cell renal cell carcinoma that is advanced or has spread (CheckMate-67T). ClinicalTrials.gov. Last updated March 1, 2024. Accessed May 7, 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04810078

The FDA is set to have a decision regarding the subcutaneous nivolumab formulation on or by December 29, 2024. 

News

FDA accepts BLA for subcutaneous nivolumab in solid tumors

Gwen Rogers knows all about kidney stones – not only because she’s a urology nurse but also, unfortunately, from plenty of personal experience. She’s had enough kidney stones to sense when one is about to make her life very uncomfortable. “A lot of times it’s just kind of a funny feeling that comes over you. At first, you feel a little nauseated; you feel a little dizzy, kind of like something’s not right.”

Then, depending on the size and location of the stone, the real discomfort may ramp up. While some kidney stones can pass through the body safely, sometimes the hard little rocks of salt and minerals get trapped in the urinary tract.

Rogers described what that feels like. “The pain starts in the back or flank area and progressively gets worse. Then the pain wraps around over the hip, whether it be the left hip or the right, and wraps right into the groin area. It can be pretty excruciating and happens really quickly at that point.”

The nurse, who recently moved to the Charleston area from North Carolina, said in the past, getting treatment wasn’t exactly a speedy process. “I would call the office; I’d wait for somebody to call me back, and that could take one or two days. Of course, when the pain kicks in, you end up going to the emergency room, and the wait there could take hours for them to see you and finally begin treatment.”

She’s grateful that MUSC Health now has a designated 

 with a hotline that offers treatment within 24 hours. When Rogers called that hotline on a recent Thursday evening, she was thrilled to be scheduled for surgery the next day.

Urologist Stephen Savage, M.D., leads the center. He knows how important it is to help patients such as Rogers, who are suffering, ASAP, using care tailored to their situations. “We have a dedicated full-time team. We have three fellowship-trained urologic specialists in stone disease. We will offer every treatment for stone disease, including endoscopic surgery, percutaneous surgery, robotic surgery and shockwave therapy,” Savage said.

Endoscopic surgery involves a urologist guiding a scope through the urinary tract to the stone to break it up. Percutaneous surgery means a tiny tube is put in the skin of your back to allow the doctor to find and get rid of the kidney stone. In robotic surgery, the doctor uses robotic instruments to go through small holes in the abdomen to remove the stone. And shockwave therapy uses shock waves to break kidney stones into small pieces so they’re easier for the body to get rid of.

Kidney stones are more common than you may realize. About one in 10 people get kidney stones, according to the 

. Savage said his team takes care of patients throughout MUSC Health’s hospital system.“People in Lancaster, Florence, Kershaw, Marion – we work with all of them.”

Savage said a variety of dietary, environmental, hereditary and metabolic factors can cause stones. “There’s a lot of kind of folklore out there about why kidney stones form and a lot of misinformation. What we offer everybody is, ultimately, an analysis of what’s coming out in their urine to figure out why they’re making stones so we can make personalized, targeted recommendations for them so that they don’t have to go through this anymore.”

Rogers is trying a low oxalate diet, avoiding foods such as spinach, almonds and rhubarb that contain high amounts of the compound. She’s also taking medication to reabsorb calcium that is spilling into her urine and a supplement to increase her citrate to inhibit stone formation.

For her, there’s no magic trick to prevent kidney stones. She’s genetically predisposed to getting them. But proper diet and medication can drastically reduce her risk. And now, when she has one, she can get care almost immediately.

“I definitely want to say that this has been a great advancement for patient care - making a CT scan available, making a surgical suite available, getting a doctor on board right away. When you’re in that much pain, it weighs heavy on you and you want relief fast. So time is of the essence at that point. The stone center team definitely has been a godsend, to be honest."

Gwen Rogers, a urology nurse with personal experience of kidney stones, highlights the challenges and advancements in kidney stone treatment. Previously, treatment delays were common, but the MUSC Health Kidney Stone Center now offers rapid intervention, including surgery within 24 hours. Led by Dr. Stephen Savage, the center provides comprehensive care with various surgical options. Kidney stones affect about 10% of people, influenced by dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. Personalized treatment plans, including dietary adjustments and medication, can significantly reduce recurrence risk.

We have a dedicated full-time team. We have three fellowship-trained urologic specialists in stone disease. We will offer every treatment for stone disease, including endoscopic surgery, percutaneous surgery, robotic surgery and shockwave therapy,” said urologist Stephen Savage, MD, who leads the center.

NOFOLLOW

NOINDEX

MUSC Kidney Stone Center ensures patients with kidney stones get treatment within 24 hours

The national 3000-patient COMPPARE trial, which is examining outcomes with proton versus photon radiotherapy in prostate cancer, continues its robust enrollment at more than 50 clinical sites.

Both forms of therapy are considered standard of care in prostate cancer; however, some data suggest that proton therapy may offer a safer alternative without sacrificing efficacy.

 The safety difference may arise because while photon therapy delivers X-rays that go through the tumor, potentially damaging nearby healthy tissue, proton therapy transmits proton particles that stop directly at the tumor, sparing healthy cells.

The open-label, nonrandomized, parallel assignment COMPPARE study (NCT03561220) is enrolling patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate who have localized disease based on a composite of biopsy, PSA, clinical stage, Gleason score, and digital rectal exam.

 Prior treatment for prostate cancer—other than androgen-deprivation therapy per NCCN guidelines—is not allowed. Patients are also not eligible if they have metastatic disease, very high-risk prostate cancer per NCCN guidelines and joint AUA/ASTRO/SUO guidelines, or any prior prostate surgical procedure.

The global aim of the COMPPARE trial is to determine whether proton therapy or radiation therapy is more effective in terms of cure rates, side effects, and quality of life for patients with localized prostate cancer. There is also an embedded randomized trial in which patients assigned to proton therapy can choose to participate. The embedded analysis is comparing standard proton therapy in hypofractionated proton therapy. 

The primary study end point is bowel, urinary, and sexual dysfunction Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) domain scores. Secondary end points include grade 2 or higher toxicity for each adverse event assessed by CTCAE, grade 2 or higher toxicity for each adverse event assessed by PRO-CTCAE, and freedom from biochemical progression using PSA results. 

The targeted enrollment for the trial is 3000 patients. At the latest study update in February 2021, it was reported that 1210 patients had enrolled. Data are accrued through patients answering brief surveys for 3 years or more.

 The estimated primary completion date is March 1, 2023.

David Marshall, MD, a radiation oncologist and principal investigator at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, one of the sites of the trial, commented in a recent press release on his center’s participation in the study.1

“The reason we like this trial at Hollings is because it doesn’t change our patients’ course of treatment. They can still choose how they get treated, and they’re able to help future patients determine the best, most cost-effective way to get treated,” said Marshall. “It’s also important for our community to participate in this clinical trial so that we can set the appropriate standard of care for our own patient population, which includes minorities who historically have not been appropriately represented in clinical trials.”

Regarding the importance of the trial in the prostate cancer paradigm overall, Marshall said, “Around 200,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the United States, and somewhere between 15% and 20% of those patients will eventually die of their disease. We’re going to learn a lot from this trial that can help us continue to improve outcomes for these men going forward.”

1. Trial to compare radiation therapies for treating prostate cancer. Published online Accessed April 26, 2021. Accessed April 26, 2021. https://bit.ly/3sTT5dc.

2. Is Proton Therapy Safer than Traditional Radiation? NIH: National Cancer Institute. Published online February 11, 2020. Accessed April 26, 2021. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/proton-therapy-safety-versus-traditional-radiation

3. NIH ClinicalTrials.gov. A Prospective Comparative Study of Outcomes With Proton and Photon Radiation in Prostate Cancer (COMPPARE). Last updated January 5, 2021. Accessed April 26, 2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03561220

4. COMPPARE Enrolls 1,000 Patients. Published online November 13, 2020. Accessed April 26, 2021. https://bit.ly/3aD5wUf.

The COMPPARE trial is a large-scale study comparing proton and photon radiotherapy in prostate cancer, with over 50 clinical sites participating. Proton therapy may offer a safer alternative by minimizing damage to healthy tissue. The trial includes patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma and excludes those with prior treatments or high-risk conditions. The primary endpoint focuses on bowel, urinary, and sexual dysfunction scores, with secondary endpoints assessing toxicity and biochemical progression. The trial aims to enroll 3000 patients, with completion expected in March 2023, and seeks to improve treatment outcomes and establish care standards.

Major clinical trial pits proton versus photon radiotherapy in prostate cancer

Cancer is the word that no one wants to hear, and having a health care background doesn’t make it any easier.

In fact, said Larry Ferguson, D.M.D., it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. Although he could talk on the same level with his doctors at 

, he could also readily imagine all the worst-case scenarios.

“And that’s never a good road to go down,” he said.

So he prayed, listened to his doctors, consulted with his family, including a son-in-law who trained as a radiation oncologist at Hollings, and decided on the course of treatment he wanted to follow for his intermediate risk prostate cancer.

Now, two years after completing radiation therapy, he is cancer-free.

“I feel wonderful,” he said. “My strength, my energy level is back up. I’m feeling more and more like myself.”

A self-described workout junkie, he’s completed the Cooper River Bridge Run for the past two years and says he plans to keep running it until he’s 80.

And knowing how common prostate cancer is – about 13% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point – he’s now on a mission to bring more awareness to the issue.

“Since I've had prostate cancer, one of the things that I did is make a decision that I wanted to work more with men in the area of prostate cancer and prostate health, because it's been my observation that many men suffer in silence,” he said. “I wanted to change that narrative. So, I made a decision to be as transparent and public as I can possibly be. I want to share my story as a story of hope for other men.”

Prostate cancer – from active surveillance to treatment

Radiation oncologist David Marshall, M.D., treated Ferguson. Marshall said that many of his patients find prostate cancer treatment to be “anticlimactic.”

“Patients are often happily surprised,” he said. “They're expecting to have a lot of problems and toxicity, and most people don't. They may have some mild to moderate symptoms from the treatment, bladder irritation or bowel irritation, and we usually handle those with minimal medications. And then they usually get better fairly rapidly after we're done.”

Ferguson’s story is fairly typical. When his prostate specific antigen, or PSA, levels began rising, urologist Thomas Keane, MD, recommended a biopsy.

The biopsy was actually Ferguson’s greatest moment of hesitation throughout his cancer journey. He had had a dental patient who suffered from sepsis, a rare but serious complication after prostate biopsy.

“That was a battle for me. I just had to come to peace with the fact that that's what I had to do. And it turns out that I ended up having four biopsies!” he said.

He had four biopsies because he was on a regimen called active surveillance. Because slow-growing prostate cancer may never need to be treated at all, active surveillance is a means to keep an eye on the cancer, through regular PSA level checks and, if necessary, biopsies, so that doctors and the patient can gauge when it’s time to move to active treatment.

For Ferguson, that happened once his PSA levels had risen to about 14. PSA levels above 10 nanograms per milliliter have about a 50% chance of indicating cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

At that point, Ferguson wanted to deal with the problem. He sat down with Marshall, who outlined the options available to him. His first choice was whether to be treated through surgery, external beam radiation therapy or seed implant radiation therapy. He chose external beam radiation, and also decided to undergo hormonal therapy, which temporarily reduced his testosterone levels to starve the cancer of the hormone it needs to grow.

Once Ferguson decided on external beam radiation, Marshall asked if he wanted to participate in a clinical trial.

Hollings offers numerous clinical trials, each looking at a specific question in a specific population of patients.

In Ferguson’s case, Marshall thought he would be a good fit for the COMPPARE trial, or the “Prospective COMparative Study of Outcomes with Proton and Photon RAdiation in PRostate CancEr.” Some cancer centers use radiation therapy powered by protons; others use photons. Both work, but this study is trying to determine if one offers better cure rates, fewer side effects or better quality of life.

Agreeing to participate in a clinical trial can mean more paperwork. For this trial, Ferguson and other participants agreed to answer questions about their health for three years after treatment. It’s an extra step, but it will help doctors to understand if one treatment is better than the other.

Ferguson has made good on his promise to himself to be transparent and public about his cancer journey. While still in treatment, he helped to start a prostate cancer ministry at his church and talked about his treatment in a podcast. He’s spoken one-on-one to other men grappling with the diagnosis, and became an ambassador for Hollings’ 

 program, which uses in-person community outreach sessions to educate Black men in South Carolina about their elevated risk of prostate cancer.

He thinks that being public about his journey has helped other men to see that they have choices.

“For some men that I've talked to, so many of them thought that surgery was the only option,” he said. “And that's not a bad option. If I had chosen surgery, I knew Dr. Keane would have done a tremendous job for me – no doubt in my mind. But I think my journey has helped me to open the eyes of other men that there are other options. Surgery is not the only option.”

And having gotten through treatment, he’s now getting on with his life. He’s in his 42nd year of dental practice and now sees patients only three days a week, but he figures he’ll continue that schedule for the next couple of years.

He’s looking forward to his 50th reunion with classmates at The Citadel this fall. Most of all, he enjoys spending time with his four children and 11 grandchildren.

“God has blessed me. I’ve been blessed, being here in Charleston.”

Larry Ferguson, D.M.D., a prostate cancer survivor, shares his journey from diagnosis to recovery, emphasizing the importance of awareness and transparency. Despite his healthcare background, Ferguson faced challenges, including the decision to undergo multiple biopsies and choosing a treatment plan. He opted for external beam radiation and hormonal therapy, participating in a clinical trial to contribute to research. Post-treatment, Ferguson actively engages in community outreach, particularly among Black men, to raise awareness about prostate cancer and its treatment options, advocating for informed decision-making.

Prostate cancer survivor Larry Ferguson, DMD, participated in a clinical trial at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. 

Prostate cancer survivor treated at MUSC shares his story

Like a cheerleader at a pep rally before the big game, Marvella Ford, PhD, leads participants of the SC AMEN Program in a cheer.

“Early detection,” she chants, pausing for the response.

“Saves lives!” respond the participants.

It’s a call and response that’s not standard fare for the more than 25 members of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, who have gathered virtually on Sept. 11 for this inaugural session of a prostate cancer prevention, awareness and navigation to screening program. That’s the point, though. Ford, associate director of Population Science and Cancer Disparities at MUSC Hollings Cancer Center, wants to get out into the community to drill home the message.

“One of the most positive aspects of the SC AMEN Program is that it focuses on Black men, who have sometimes been overlooked by the medical community,” Ford said. “This program creates a safe space for participants to share their comments, concerns and stories to help improve prostate cancer screening rates.”

The SC AMEN Program aims to reduce prostate cancer mortality rates in South Carolina Black men age 40 to 65 by increasing their prostate cancer knowledge and improving their prostate cancer screening rates. The program, supported by the TD Bank Foundation, hopes to raise awareness about prostate cancer, which disproportionally affects Black men who oftentimes present with later-stage disease and have worse overall outcomes. In fact, the prostate cancer death rate in South Carolina is 2.5 times higher for Black men than for white men with this disease.

Participants of the SC AMEN Program begin by attending a training session, led by Ford and program manager Melanie Slan, which covers topics including the importance of exercise and listening to your body, tips on a healthy diet and prostate cancer screening and early detection. They are then evaluated using a pre-test, post-test and three-month follow-up survey to gather information about whether they received prostate cancer screenings and increased their knowledge of prostate cancer. Those who complete the program receive monetary compensation.

“We fully expect that this inaugural session of the SC AMEN Program is just the beginning,” Ford said. “As more people learn about the prostate cancer education and screening navigation services that are offered through the program, they will choose to participate.”

Ending health disparities and saving lives in South Carolina is a personal mission for dentist Larry J. Ferguson, DMD, who served as the keynote speaker and primary organizer for this session. Ferguson knows just how important screenings, early intervention and education are. His own journey with prostate cancer began in 2012, when Ferguson and his primary care doctor noticed his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were above normal.

“When I saw my PSA levels rising above the recommended levels, I went into denial,” he said. “I didn’t want to think about the possibility of having prostate cancer and going through treatment. Fear was setting into my heart, and I’m a doctor.”

Ferguson shared his story with the other men who took part in the SC AMEN Program session. In 2016, following his annual PSA blood test, Ferguson’s primary care physician referred him to Hollings researcher Thomas Keane, MD, who is also the chair of the MUSC Department of Urology.

“Having attended school at MUSC for dentistry, there wasn’t a question in my mind where I wanted to go for treatment,” Ferguson said.

For the next four years, Keane actively monitored Ferguson’s cancer through rounds of biopsies and MRIs. Active surveillance was chosen as the course of treatment due to the size and nonaggressive nature of Ferguson’s prostate cancer. In 2020, results of surveillance tests showed the tumor pattern was becoming more aggressive. In February 2021, Ferguson was put on hormone reduction medication to reduce testosterone levels to help to prevent the cancer from growing further.

In addition to that medication, Ferguson was referred to Hollings researcher David Marshall, MD, who is also the chair of the MUSC Health Department of Radiation Oncology, for radiation treatment. Due to his tumor responding well to the hormone reduction medication, Marshall told Ferguson he would only need 20 rounds of radiation, versus the 28 they had originally planned for. Radiation wrapped up in June, and Ferguson came off the hormone medication in August 2021.

“My journey with prostate cancer continues today. I am walking my journey as I speak with other men in the SC AMEN Program. That is important to me because I want to develop a prostate cancer ministry so that we can encourage one another — both current patients and prostate cancer survivors.”

By sharing his experiences, Ferguson hopes to affect other men and encourage them to get early, and routine, prostate cancer screenings. He’s excited about starting the conversation about a cancer that many men don’t feel comfortable talking about.

“I know of too many men who have suffered from this disease, and they suffered in silence. They didn’t feel like they could talk to anyone. I want to be as transparent as I can with other men about my story to encourage other men to talk about prostate cancer and get screened. That’s what the SC AMEN Program helps to do.”

Improving prostate cancer screening with the SC AMEN Program

Marshall said early detection of prostate cancer truly saves lives. It is a big reason why he is supportive of the SC AMEN Program’s efforts to educate medically underserved communities about lifesaving screenings.

“The more we can communicate the need for screenings and the availability of treatment options at Hollings that result in a high quality of life, the better,” Marshall said. “I applaud the efforts of Dr. Marvella Ford and her team to get this important message out and to navigate the participants to prostate cancer screening.”

Ford said the inaugural session was a huge success, and they’re already getting calls to book more sessions throughout the state. “This is the tip of the iceberg, and this is going to snowball. We’re so appreciative of the support of the TD Bank Foundation to launch this key initiative in our state.”

Ferguson also believes that this is just the beginning for the SC AMEN Program. He credits his doctors at Hollings for helping to make life after cancer possible so he can educate others. “My own cancer journey helped open my eyes to just how important Hollings is to Charleston and South Carolina as a whole.”

By educating and encouraging a space for dialogue among men, Ferguson believes more lives will be saved, thanks to early screening, prevention and treatment.

The SC AMEN Program, led by Marvella Ford, PhD, aims to reduce prostate cancer mortality among Black men in South Carolina by increasing awareness and screening rates. The program, supported by the TD Bank Foundation, addresses the disproportionate impact of prostate cancer on Black men, who often present with later-stage disease. Participants receive training on early detection, healthy lifestyle choices, and are evaluated through surveys. Dentist Larry J. Ferguson, a prostate cancer survivor, shares his journey to encourage others to undergo screenings, emphasizing the importance of early detection and community dialogue.

“I think this is a tremendous opportunity for the Black community and for Black men. I hope my story can encourage other men to get prostate cancer screenings and possibly save a life. Every life is important," says Larry J. Ferguson, DMD.

Sean Elliott, MD, MS

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