Love Letters to Our Bodies
Conversations on health, healing, and happiness by, for and about African American women. An exploration of the mind, body, spirit connection. and opportunities to hear from spiritual teachers, holistic health practitioners, and women helping to make life for others.
DISCLAIMER: THE LOVE LETTERS TO OUR BODIES podcast does not provide medical advice. The opinions, experiences, AND insights shared are for informational purposes only. Nothing shared on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health care provider, don’t disregard or delay seeking it because of what you have heard on this podcast.
Love Letters to Our Bodies
What Women Should Know About Prostate Cancer
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Prostate cancer affects far more than the man who receives the diagnosis; it can reshape the emotional and practical life of an entire family. In this episode of Love Letters 2 Our Bodies, Gwendolyn Mitchell speaks with Steven Thompson, Co-Chair of the UCSF Black Men's Health Committee and a prostate cancer survivor and advocate, about what women should understand about screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Steven reflects on his own journey and the support that helped him move through fear, weigh his options, advocate for his care, and help other Black men do the same. They also explore emotional openness, peer navigation, informed decision-making, and the meaningful role loved ones can play throughout the cancer journey. Tune in to learn how knowledge and trusted support can help men face prostate cancer with greater confidence and care.
Key Points From This Episode:
• Meet Steven and hear how his advocacy grew from his own prostate cancer journey.
• Learn how bringing a trusted person to appointments can provide emotional support.
• Understand how joining a support group changed Steven's experience of prostate cancer.
• Steven shares what he wishes he had known before his prostate cancer journey began.
• Hear about Steven's treatment path and how inequities can shape care for Black men.
• Understand why an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) does not always indicate cancer.
• Find out how UCSF's peer-navigation program helps newly diagnosed men.
• Hear what motivated him to join the UCSF Black Men's Health Committee.
• Uncover what Steven most wants women to know about prostate cancer.
• Appreciate how support groups can help men with relationships and navigating the process.
• Advice for supporting a man who is avoiding the topic or living with prostate cancer.
• Final takeaways and Steven's love letter to his body.
Quotes:
“Each treatment type has its side effects.” — Steven Thompson [0:13:46]
“You’re going to come out different on the other side than when you walked in.” — Steven Thompson [0:14:04]
“I think I am a far stronger individual now that I am able to express my feelings.” — Steven Thompson [0:20:18]
“You’ve got to take care of yourself, and in order to take care of yourself you have to learn about yourself.” — Steven Thompson [0:48:54]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center
UCSF Men's Health Committee and Prostate Cancer Support Group
Prostate Health Education Network (PHEN)
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
Love Letters 2 Our Bodies is sponsored by Moyo Institute, Inc and the Lloyd Symington Foundation
Gwendolyn Mitchell on LinkedIn
MOYO Institute, Inc
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