Talking about prostate cancer and getting screened early can help save lives.
The Cleveland African American Prostate Cancer Project (CAAPP) demonstrated how a trusted community space, like a local barbershop, can make a difficult topic easier to discuss.
Cleveland-area barbers received education and training to help them talk with clients about prostate cancer risk, PSA testing, and the importance of early detection. Bringing these conversations into familiar neighborhood settings helped address misinformation, build trust, and encourage informed decision-making about screening.
CAAPP also strengthened collaboration among community leaders, healthcare providers, cancer researchers, and patient navigators to improve access to screening and follow-up care for African American men in Cleveland. The project has been recognized as an innovative community-based model that uses barbershops as trusted hubs for health education and outreach.
Although the project officially ended in 2025, Case CCC continues to support awareness about prostate cancer screening and early detection. Many barbers who participated in the program still talk with clients about prostate cancer and encourage them to learn more about screening and preventive healthcare.
Why Screening Matters
African Americans assigned male at birth are more than twice as likely to die from prostate cancer compared with white individuals assigned male at birth in the United States. These patterns are seen in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio.
Screening can help find prostate cancer early, sometimes before symptoms appear, when treatment may work better.
You are encouraged to:
- Learn more about prostate cancer and screening
- Talk with a doctor about PSA testing
- Understand the importance of follow-up care
- Build relationships with primary care doctors
- Access trusted cancer education and prevention resources