February 5, 2009

Link

He's best known as the lead vocalist for the Gap Band. Now Charlie Wilson is raising his voice to narrow the knowledge gap about prostate cancer.

Wilson, who was diagnosed last fall and treated with radiation implants, says he's in remission.

The singer wants to serve up a dose of knowledge along with the funk when he tours to support his new solo album, Uncle Charlie, due out Feb. 17.

He's urging men, especially African-Americans, to get tested. Black men are at increased risk of prostate cancer overall.

It was during a routine physical last September that a blood test turned up signs of prostate cancer. A biopsy and follow-up examination confirmed the diagnosis.

When Wilson heard his doctor utter the word cancer, "I just felt devastated," he said.

But Wilson also noticed that his doctor "had this little smile on his face" as he delivered the news. The reason, he said, was because his doctor told him: "We caught it early enough and we can knock it out."

Wilson is also spreading the message of early detection when he performs for U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Kuwait this month, and is working with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to increase awareness.

I was JUST going to post this!

Thanks, Copycat.
[Edited 2/5/09 9:43am]

Peep his website also.
Unclecharliewilson.com

I was reading about this in my local newspaper and I was just gonna do a thread about it.

Read this yesterday....hope and pray he gets better..

LondonStyle said:

He is fine now.....

LondonStyle said:

Read it again. It said the doctor found it in its early stages and it's in remission.

So he's a cancer survivor!

charlie wilson: press release

R&B ARTIST CHARLIE WILSON ANNOUNCES PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Charlie WilsonWith Early Detection and a Promising Prognosis, Famed Vocalist Teams with the Prostate Cancer Foundation to Raise Awareness and Funds for Research

SANTA MONICA, CA/February 5, 2009—Charlie Wilson, the famed R&B artist widely known as the lead vocalist for the GAP Band in the 1980s and his gold-certified album, Charlie Last Name Wilson, announced that he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. He also announced that he is teaming with the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) to raise awareness and research funds for prostate cancer. His second solo album on Jive Records, Uncle Charlie, featuring the top-ten single There Goes My Baby, is scheduled for release on February 17.

“When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September, I thought to myself ‘I’m too young… this isn’t a cancer I should be getting,’” says Wilson. “While I was surprised to discover that this disease strikes one out of every six American men, I was astounded to learn that African American men are 1.6 times more likely than others to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. My wife, Mahin, and I are very fortunate. I was lucky to be diagnosed and begin treatment early. My prognosis is excellent.”

Wilson is buoyed by the fact that his cancer was detected early. Following his diagnosis in September, he consulted with his doctor to select a treatment option that was right for him. He started on a course of therapy on November 21.

Scientists do not yet understand why prostate cancer odds—both incidence and death rates—are higher among African American men. Genetic differences, lifestyle and nutrition habits, and access to healthcare may all play a role in the statistics.

In dealing with his situation, Wilson understood two things: he had to decide on a treatment that was right for him and he had to do something about getting the word out about prostate cancer to African American and all men. “For years I’ve spent my life performing,” explains Wilson. “Now I need to spend time informing.”

“Although men are 35 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than women are to be diagnosed with breast cancer, no one seems to talk about the disease,” says Wilson. “We men don’t want to consider or vocalize our vulnerabilities. It was my wife who kept after me to see my doctor for a screening. I thank God she did. Now I feel compelled to spread the word about prostate cancer.”

Wilson will be taking the message of early detection and treatment on the road with him as he starts his media and concert tours for his new album this spring. He plans to deliver his message overseas to U.S. troops serving in Iraq and Kuwait when he performs for them in late February.

Wilson will also be helping the Prostate Cancer Foundation raise funds to support prostate cancer research, specifically by supporting a PCF Creativity Research Grant. These grants support creative research ideas with high potential and no current funding. They encourage the development of high-risk/high-reward concepts that, if successful, could provide the basis for dramatically reducing death and suffering from prostate cancer. They are intended to bridge the gap between an idea and the results necessary to justify increased funding. Those wanting to make a donation to the Charlie Wilson-PCF Creativity Research Grant can go to www.unclecharliewilson.com. There they will find more information on Wilson’s support of PCF research and a direct link for making donations online or by mail.

“I am excited to be working with the PCF. They are the driving force behind many of the advances that have been made in prostate cancer treatment to date,” says Wilson. “Their work has helped reduce the death rate by nearly 40 percent in the past few years. Together, I believe we can make an important impact.”
About the Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation is the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research focused on discovering better treatments and a cure for recurrent prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, the PCF has raised more than $370 million and provided funding to more than 1,500 research projects nearly 200 institutions worldwide. The PCF also advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more governmental research funds. PCF advocacy has helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer since 1994. More information about prostate cancer and the PCF can be found at www.pcf.org.

Timmy84 said:

Like all cancers they can come back sorry..

Graycap23 said:

I will later. I like the new single. Has an old school feel to it.
I hope the album is more like this and less r.kelly like.
Glad to hear uncle charlie is recovering nicely and getting the message out.
I have a friend who was diagnosed in 07 44 years of age who got it and was
able to get it taken care of because of early detection.

LondonStyle said:

Not unless you treat it properly.

Copycat said:

excellent that he is still alive to give a new message!

cheers!
~svn seven

I am happy that is is better.

Good news that he's in remission!