Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died at 62 from prostate cancer, focusing attention on the disproportionate impact of the disease on Black men. King, who passed away on January 22 at his home in Malibu, had been battling prostate cancer for an undisclosed period.
Black men face a 70% higher risk of developing prostate cancer and are twice as likely to die from it compared to other racial groups, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Experts attribute this disparity to various factors, including social and environmental issues, access to healthcare, and differences in diagnosis and treatment timing.
Vincent Laudone, Chief of Surgery at MSK’s Josie Robertson Surgery Center, stated, “Disparities in outcomes also can be affected by differences in when the cancer is diagnosed and how the men are treated after diagnosis.”
The American Cancer Association notes that many Black men avoid prostate cancer screening due to fear, mistrust of the healthcare system, lack of insurance, and insufficient knowledge about treatment options.
King’s death prompted calls on social media for increased awareness and regular screenings. One user urged, “Black men prostate cancer is so treatable and curable if caught early. Get yourself checked please.”
As chairman of the King Center and president of the King Estate, Dexter Scott King dedicated his life to preserving his father’s legacy. His wife, Leah Weber King, said he “gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end.”
See “Dexter Scott King’s Death Draws Attention To Black Men And Prostate Cancer” (January 22, 2024)
