By Bazona Barnabe Bado
For the seventh consecutive year, the African Immigrants’ Commission of New York and Connecticut Inc. (AIC), in partnership with Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, hosted its annual African Heritage Month celebration.
Guests—including Dr. Hilda Heynes-Lewis, Dr. Lott, elected officials, and African community leaders—attended to support the event, learn about cancer generally and prostate cancer specifically, and enjoy African music, dance, and food.
“I am enthusiastic and honored that African communities have come together to support the event,” said AIC Chairman Mory Kouyate. Expressing hope that the event would continue bringing people together, Mr. Kouyate said African Heritage Month promotes African culture and encourages civic engagement. This year’s theme focused on the “EPI,” a traditional Fulani cloth from Guinea whose symbols convey the country’s history and culture.
The African Immigrants’ Commission of New York and Connecticut Inc ‘s 7 annual African heritage month was also an opportunity to raise awareness about prostate cancer.
According to Dr. Lott who made the presentation, “An estimated 41,600 cases of prostate cancer are expected to be diagnosed among Black men in 2022, accounting for 37% of all new cancers in Black men; and approximately 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime compared to 1 in 8 White men.”
She explained that the risk factors are related to family history of the disease, African ancestry, inherited genetic conditions, smoking.
She recommended that individuals speak with their doctors about prostate cancer screening, noting that the American Urological Association recommends clinicians offer screening to Black men beginning at ages 40–45.
Prostate cancer screening can help detect cancers at high risk of spreading and may lower the risk of death from prostate cancer in some men.
Several attendees received prostate cancer screenings during the event, and a cancer survivor shared her experience with diagnosis and recovery.
Many people were awarded for their commitment to the community. Dr. Lewis awarded Mr. Kouyate for the partnership with Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer.
“The event was a success,” Mr. Kouyate said.