From Awareness to Action: Turning Prostate Cancer Advocacy Into Policy
What happens when prostate cancer advocacy moves from the community into state capitols and the halls of Congress?
In this episode of If You Are My Brothers, Reggie Hicks talks with Ali Manson, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy at ZERO Prostate Cancer, about the policies that influence whether men are screened early, can afford care, benefit from new treatments, and have access to the discoveries being developed through prostate cancer research.
Ali explains that advocacy isn't simply about raising awareness. Public policy can affect virtually every step of a man's prostate cancer journey—from whether PSA screening is recommended and covered by insurance to whether researchers have the resources to develop tomorrow's treatments. 204
The conversation comes home to Georgia, where advocates have been working to remove out-of-pocket costs for PSA screening. Ali explains why legislation often requires several attempts before becoming law and discusses plans for another effort during the 2027 Georgia legislative session. 204
Reggie and Ali also examine the federal landscape, including screening policy, healthcare access, prostate cancer care for veterans, and the challenges facing federally supported research. Ali explains the unique role of the Department of Defense's Prostate Cancer Research Program, which focuses on high-risk, high-reward research with potential clinical applications. ZERO identifies protecting and restoring PCRP funding as a major advocacy priority. ZERO Cancer
Perhaps most importantly, Ali explains how ordinary people can participate. Sending an advocacy message may take only a few minutes, while sharing a personal story directly with a policymaker can help put a human face on decisions involving screening, care and research. She also invites members of the prostate cancer community to learn more about ZERO's annual Advocacy Summit in Washington.
Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeZERO Prostate Cancer
ZERO Advocacy Center — Take Action
ZERO Policy Priorities and Action Alerts
Prostate Cancer Research Program — PCRP
POPCaP Authorization Act and Veterans' Prostate Cancer Care
ZERO360 Patient Support Helpline
ZERO Patient Navigation
Blitz the Barriers
ZERO Prostate Cancer Events — including the Atlanta Empowerment Summit
2027 ZERO Prostate Cancer Advocacy Summit
If You Are My Brothers
Atlanta Brand Central
Bork House Productions
Contact Reggie Hicks: Reggie@ifyouaremybrothers.org
If You Are My Brothers is dedicated to turning prostate cancer awareness into health action through real stories, trusted voices, and community engagement.
Medical disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about screening, diagnosis, and treatment decisions.