The Critical Fight Against Prostate Cancer in African American Men – A Personal Journey

Last updated: 09 December 2024

Featured: Coach Kiven Williams

In the heart of Maryland's Biotech corridor, the Montgomery Village Chiefs 9U youth football team of the Capital Beltway League is not just playing to win games, they're raising awareness for a cause their coaches deem "bigger than football". We had the privilege to sit down with Coach Kiven Williams, who has turned his family's battle with prostate cancer into a powerful mission on and off the field. His story offers a compelling reminder of the importance of early cancer detection and community advocacy in the fight against this deadly disease that disproportionately affects African Americans.

Q: How has your family's experiences with prostate cancer shaped your approach to your own healthcare?

Coach Kiven: "I was only 27 when both my father and grandfather passed away from prostate cancer within six months of each other. My dad, a strong firefighter, fought the disease six times before passing at just 50. Seeing his struggle made me focus on my health—I've lost over 100 pounds by running daily, hoping to avoid that fate. As a coach, I tell my players about perseverance, not just in football, but in life and health."

Coach Kiven's commitment to his health is not only inspiring but also points to a larger conversation about the importance of early detection. His journey, motivated by personal loss, highlights the role education and awareness play in preventing prostate cancer deaths.

Q: Given your family history, how do you feel about the importance of early cancer detection? What advice would you give to Black men about being proactive with their health?

Featured: Coach Kiven’s father in his firefighter gear in Washington, D.C.

Coach Kiven: "Early detection is everything. My father probably didn't get checked until his symptoms were unbearable. If more people understood the life-saving potential of early detection, we could prolong many lives. This disease hasn't skipped a generation in my family, and as someone with two sons I've made it my mission to be proactive about education and screening. So, I will encourage anyone reading this to take their prostate health seriously if they have a family history or a genetic linkage like me." Coach Kiven's message is clear: health starts with early action. But this isn't just a personal responsibility; it's one that requires strong support from the entire community.

Featured: Preston Williams II (left) and Preston Williams I (right), Kiven’s father and grandfather.

Featured: Coach Kiven’s Father in the hospital.

Q: What factors do you think contribute to the higher incidence of prostate cancer in Black men, and what role does community play in raising awareness?

Coach Kiven: "I think we need more conversations. A lot of Black men avoid doctors, even for basic health needs, so cancer screenings get ignored. You'd have a hard enough time getting an older Black man to go get his high cholesterol checked, let alone screen for prostate cancer. In underserved communities, people are also more focused on basic needs like food and shelter, so conversations about health can take a backseat. But that's exactly why it's important to raise awareness—especially for Black men who face a higher risk of death from cancer."

Q: What do you think is needed to improve early detection rates?

Coach Kiven: "Education. Most young Black men don't even know what the prostate is, let alone why it's important to get checked. If we can teach them while they're young, they'll spread that knowledge to their family—their younger brother, cousin, uncle, or dad. I've seen cancer, man. I've seen the good, the bad, the ugly and the horrible. So, when I see young kids, I see them as hope."

Featured: Coach Kiven with his family before the birth of his new baby son.

He continues, "Football is mostly composed of African American men. I don't know how we are allowing most of our football players to not be educated on prostate health. It's good to know that companies like Oxford BioDynamics are doing important work in educating people about early detection."

Coach Kiven uses his social media to post facts about prostate cancer and follows patient advocacy groups like ZERO Prostate Cancer, which provides educational resources. He's also participated in their 5K fundraising events, using his platform to get the word out. "It would have been great if I had access to health education like this from coaches, parents, teachers, and media outlets when I was younger," he reflects.

Q: What about your work with Youth football teams? Why is it important to spread this message to 10-year-old athletes about their health?

Coach Kiven: "I coach 25 young African American boys. One day they'll be 25 men with double the risk of prostate cancer compared to their peers of other races. One in four of my players could get prostate cancer in the future, so it's crucial they learn about detection and prevention now. We use our platform as coaches to raise awareness. We talk about health, wearing colors for different cancers, and sharing information with families."

"Having these themes be a part of my football team's branding and ethos I think is a bold gesture that might not be considered cool or stylish but rather normalizes a topic that isn't typically promoted through youth sports. There are hundreds of sports teams in the DC area that I'm sure would be happy to help the advocacy groups spread the word."

For Coach Kiven, football is more than a game; it's a gateway to educating the next generation. His efforts with youth football go beyond just the players—they involve their families and the broader community, raising awareness in spaces that have traditionally been less focused on health.

Featured: Coach Kiven addressing his 25 youth football players (left), HC Trae Addison (right)

Q: How would having an accurate test like EpiSwitch PSE impact you?

Coach Kiven: "Having a highly accurate prostate cancer detection test would mean the world. If tests like EpiSwitch PSE were available years ago, maybe my father would still be here. I asked my doctor about getting tested when I turned 30, but he told me to wait until 40, so I've been preparing myself for years to get tested. Knowing I can trust the result would give me peace of mind. For men like me with a family history, we need tests we can trust."

He believes that more accurate tests will give people a better chance to catch cancer early and start treatment sooner. "I think the more accurate tests will be, man, that might be the best weapon ever created for prostate cancer, to be honest," he adds.

The Montgomery Village 9u Chiefs made it to the Capital Beltway League Championship game this season. Their next season schedule can be found at mvfootball.sportngin.com. The team's field is South Valley Park, just 5 miles from Oxford BioDynamics USA headquarters. Good luck to Coach Kiven and his mighty Chiefs.

A Message from Oxford BioDynamics

At Oxford BioDynamics, we're committed to supporting the fight against prostate cancer by providing innovative solutions for early detection and education. Stories like Coach Kiven's remind us of the vital importance of early screening, particularly for those at higher risk, such as African American men.

The EpiSwitch® PSE, a 94% accurate blood test, offers a more reliable option for prostate cancer detection, empowering men and their doctors alike to make informed decisions about their health and helping to reduce the need for unnecessary biopsies.

We believe that through better education, personalized tools, and community efforts, we can help change the future of prostate cancer outcomes.

To learn more about the EpiSwitch PSE test, visit 94percent.com or follow us on social media for updates on events, resources, and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones throughout Movember and beyond.

Together, we can make a difference.