Black Men and Colon Cancer: Breaking the Silence, Taking Control, and Saving Lives

by Kenneth Braswell, CEO, Fathers Incorporated

I remember the days when going to the doctor was just another routine stop on my calendar. That’s not because I was genuinely invested in my health but because I was expecting to hear the words I always heard: “Mr. Braswell, you have a clean bill of health.” Those words were like a permission slip to continue the same behaviors — eating and drinking what I wanted, avoiding exercise, skipping doctor’s appointments, ignoring the dentist — because, in my mind, I was fine. My body bounced back quickly. Pain didn’t last long. And truth be told, like many other men I knew, I didn’t see the need to go to a doctor unless something was broken or simply didn’t work anymore. Health was optional, not mandatory.

Fast forward. Life has a way of showing you just how reckless those youthful decisions were. I now stand on the other side of 60, fully aware of the many ways I could have treated my body better. 

And this isn’t just about me — it’s about us, especially as Black men. We’ve grown up in a culture where health discussions weren’t a priority, where seeking medical care was often seen as a sign of weakness, and where misinformation about diseases — particularly those affecting us at disproportionate rates — has kept too many of us in the dark.

Now, we’re in the month of March, and with it comes National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer, a silent killer, claims the lives of Black men too often and without warning. Still, we barely talk about it. We joke about the procedures, dismiss the recommendations, and let stereotypes dictate our decisions. The colonoscopy — the one test that could save lives — has become a running gag in barbershops, whispered about in circles of men who fear the test more than the disease itself.

The reality is stark: 37% of Black men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. One in six will die from it. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of death among Black men, sitting just behind heart disease and right before stroke. Yet, for many of us, a doctor’s visit still feels like an option rather than an obligation.

Colon Cancer Awareness Month forces us to pause and ask, what will it take for us to take our health seriously?

I recently turned 63, and my health has taken center stage in many ways. I’m working on a book, Too Seasoned to Care, and in it, I reflect on the things that become increasingly important as we age. Health is at the top of that list. Because as the years add up, so do the realities of what we could have done differently. One of the biggest regrets I refuse to carry is knowing I could have prevented something but chose not to.

For too many Black men, the emergency room has been our primary care doctor. We avoid preventative visits, brush off symptoms, and wait until something becomes unbearable before seeking help. For years, I lived with that same mentality, but the older I get, the more I realize that we owe it to ourselves — and more importantly, to our families — to change that narrative.

Let’s talk about the uncomfortable truth.

There’s a stigma around colonoscopies, and much of it is rooted in ignorance and fear. I’ve had those conversations. I’ve heard the jokes. “I ain’t letting no man do that to me.” “If it’s a woman doctor, maybe, but still…” And on and on it goes. The reality is that these thoughts are fueled by toxic masculinity and a deep-seated resistance to vulnerability, particularly when it comes to our bodies.

The irony? That fear, that hesitation, that refusal to get checked is costing us our lives.

Chadwick Boseman — our Black Panther, our symbol of Black excellence — was lost to colon cancer at the age of 43. By the time he was diagnosed, he was already in stage three. And here’s the kicker: He kept it quiet. He fought in silence… the very same silence that too many Black men live in when it comes to their health. And if that’s not enough, let’s talk about Jackie Robinson. The same man Chadwick portrayed in 42 also lost his life to colon cancer — a pattern we can’t afford to ignore.

And it’s not just colon cancer. Prostate cancer is taking our brothers at alarming rates, too. Names we know — Dexter Scott King, Sidney Poitier, O.J. Simpson, Louis Gossett Jr., Floyd Patterson — gone. We’ve seen this story before, but are we learning from it?

Here’s the good news: There’s been progress. Between 1991 and 2022, cancer mortality among Black men dropped by 49%. That’s significant. That means more of us are paying attention. That means more of us are catching it early. That means there’s hope. But we still have work to do.

I had my first colonoscopy at 52. Was I nervous? Let me tell you — absolutely, because in the back of my mind were all the myths and stereotypes I had absorbed over the years. But I went. And thank God I did. I walked out with a clean bill of health. 

Now, at 63, I just had my second one; this time, there was no fear or hesitation, just an understanding that this is what being responsible looks like. And if my kids, my family, and my brothers see me taking my health seriously, maybe, just maybe, they’ll do the same.

I didn’t just do this for me. I posted about it on social media because visibility matters. Representation matters. Sometimes, all it takes to change your mind is seeing someone you know, respect, or admire doing what you were too afraid to do. If I can influence just one man to book that appointment, then it’s worth it.

So, I’m asking you — Black men, fathers, sons, brothers — what are you waiting for? This isn’t just about you. It’s about your family. It’s about your children. It’s about making sure you’re here for the moments that matter.

If you have a history of cancer in your family, your risk increases. If you’re over 45, it’s time. If you’ve been putting it off, stop waiting. If you have questions, ask. If you’re afraid, talk about it. Whatever you do, don’t do nothing.

The numbers are clear. Cancer mortality rates are declining, but we still have the highest death rate. Why? Because too often, we wait too long. We dismiss symptoms. We let fear dictate our choices. We let pride cost us our lives.

Not anymore.

Not if I have anything to say about it.

This Colon Cancer Awareness Month, I challenge you to take action. Talk to your doctor. Schedule that checkup. Do your research. Get informed. And most importantly—get screened.

Your family needs you. Your community needs you. We need you.

Let’s stop making excuses and start making changes.

Your life depends on it.

Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, leads efforts to promote responsible fatherhood and strengthen families nationwide. With extensive experience in community development and father engagement, he drives impactful initiatives and policies. Learn more at www.fathersincorporated.com.