“This is my calling.” Spencer Haywood urges men to take charge of their health after journey with prostate cancer.
In 2013, former professional basketball player and Olympic gold medalist Spencer Haywood was preparing for his induction into the National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Fame when he received difficult news that would change his life.
A routine appointment turned to early detection.
After a routine doctor’s appointment and blood test, his health care provider noticed that Haywood’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level were slightly elevated. The PSA test is a blood-based screening test that can detect signs of prostate cancer.
As a Black man, Haywood was at increased risk for the disease. His doctor also asked about family history—and Haywood had one. Just two years earlier, his brother had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to remove it.
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Haywood’s doctor ordered a biopsy which confirmed what Haywood feared: he, too, had prostate cancer. When presented with treatment options, he chose the same path his brother did and had surgery to remove the cancer.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Anyone with a prostate gland (which is present in people assigned male at birth unless surgically removed) is at risk for prostate cancer.
While it affects people of all races and ethnicities, Black men have higher incidence rates of prostate cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and with more aggressive forms of the disease. Because of this elevated risk, Black men should begin conversations with their health care provider about prostate cancer screening earlier than those at average risk.
The conversation with your doctor is a process called shared decision-making—meaning you and your provider can discuss the pros and cons of screening to make the best decision for you.
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Current screening guidelines recommend talking to your health care provider about prostate cancer screening if you are:
- Age 40+ and have a strong family history of prostate cancer (if more than one close relative—a parent, child or sibling—had prostate cancer before age 65)
- Age 45+ and are Black OR have a family history of prostate cancer
- Age 50+ if you are at average risk
From athlete to advocate.
Since his diagnosis, Haywood has turned to advocacy, focusing on educating younger men to take charge of their health and speak up, even when the topic feels uncomfortable.
“It’s not a big deal,” Haywood said. “It’s a PSA check.”
Many men feel uneasy or have misconceptions about prostate cancer exams, but the PSA test is done with a blood draw, just as you would do to check your blood sugar or cholesterol. Haywood has stern words for men who avoid routine checkups, urging them to prioritize their longevity.
Haywood attended the NBA Total Health Fair in Las Vegas, Nevada, presented by Evernorth Health Services in December 2025. The fair was hosted in partnership with the Prevent Cancer Foundation, Nevada Cancer Coalition, Goodr and the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA.
Throughout the event, he spoke with community members from across the Las Vegas area about his cancer journey, opening up so others may feel encouraged to act.
Haywood urges men to stop avoiding screenings.
Having prostate cancer has given Haywood a new perspective, and he now feels a responsibility to give back to younger generations of players and emphasize the importance of early detection.
“This is my calling,” Haywood said when asked what motivates him to educate younger men about their health. “This is what I do.”
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Detecting cancer early increases the chances of better health outcomes—and it gives people more time with loved ones. Haywood knows this all too well.
His message to men: Don’t avoid your screenings. Take charge of your health, because this is your life you’re fighting for.