On August 29, 2025, leaders from across Georgia gathered at Piedmont Athens Regional for the 2nd Annual Georgia Prostate Cancer Roundtable Meeting. Hosted at the Oconee Health Campus and sponsored by Phoebe Putney Health System, the meeting united physicians, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates with one shared mission: to reduce the burden of prostate cancer in Georgia.
The Georgia Prostate Cancer Roundtable (GPCRT), launched in 2023, is a statewide coalition designed to save lives through collaboration across the continuum of care—from prevention and screening to treatment and survivorship. This year’s agenda highlighted urgent data trends, innovative research, access models, and quality-of-life issues, focusing strongly on addressing disparities affecting Black and Latino communities.
Among the distinguished panelists was Ossie Williams, BSc, MSc, Senior Advisor with the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia (HHCGA) and a Steering Committee member of GPCRT. A certified Health Equity Ambassador by the American Cancer Society and a prostate cancer survivor himself, Williams brought both professional expertise and personal experience to the discussions.
Williams took part in the session Quality of Life After Diagnosis, joining medical leaders including Dr. Scott Miller, Dr. Jim Hotz, and Dr. Rafael De La Torre. His remarks underscored the unique challenges facing men in Black and Latino communities, who experience higher rates of prostate cancer and often face barriers to early detection, treatment access, and survivorship resources.
Recent data shows that prostate cancer incidence in Georgia is 21% higher than the national average, with non-Hispanic Black men experiencing an 81% higher incidence rate compared to their White counterparts. Hispanic men are less likely to be diagnosed at an early stage (73% compared to 78% of Black men). These disparities contribute to worse outcomes and highlight the need for targeted outreach and culturally relevant interventions.
Williams emphasized the importance of building trust between patients and providers, strengthening navigation programs, and ensuring culturally appropriate survivorship care. He highlighted HHCGA’s efforts to advance prostate cancer awareness and education in Hispanic and Black communities, advocating for systemic changes that reduce barriers and expand opportunities for early screening and treatment.
“Survivor voices are essential—not only to honor lived experiences, but to shape the policies and practices that will save lives in our communities.” – Ossie Williams
Looking ahead, the GPCRT aims to build on this momentum by expanding its Access to Care and Patient & Provider Education Workgroups, promoting new initiatives such as the Primary Care ECHO Screening Program (September 2025–February 2026), and strengthening opportunities for minority participation in clinical trials.
Williams’ voice at the roundtable underscored the power of survivor leadership and community advocacy in shaping policy and practice. His contributions not only honored the lived experiences of men facing prostate cancer but also pointed to solutions that can bridge gaps in care for Georgia’s most vulnerable populations.
“For Black and Latino men in Georgia, closing the gap in prostate cancer care begins with trust, education, and access to culturally relevant resources.” – Ossie Williams
As the GPCRT prepares for its 2026 Annual Meeting, the insights shared this year by Williams and fellow panelists will continue to inform strategies that bring Georgia closer to its goal: ensuring that every man, regardless of background, has the chance to prevent, detect, treat, and survive prostate cancer.
Q&A:
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