ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) energized the city with its first Fall 2025 model casting, held Saturday, September 20 at Afro TV Studios. More than 200 aspiring and professional models attended the high-energy event, which partnered with Urban Fest 360, giving participants the chance to experience 60 featured films during the festival. Several models were immediately cast for upcoming fashion shows, while others were selected for blind skit performances, blending fashion, performance, and entertainment.

Designers, Stylists, and Boutiques in Attendance
Notable industry leaders were on hand to guide models and scout talent, including fashion consultant and leadership coach Carilyn Egleé, Culture Trees Designs with its bold ready-to-wear collections, and designer Ellie Paisley Miller, who brings a social media following of 150,000. Models received hands-on mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to future OIFW showcases and award ceremonies, including the Global Peace Film Festival and Urban Fest 360 Awards.

Upcoming Model Casting – September 28
OIFW announced its second Fall 2025 casting, scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at CityArts Gallery in Downtown Orlando. Models will have another chance to be cast for OIFW runway shows, meet designers, and take part in behind-the-scenes activities. Designers, boutiques, and stylists are also invited to apply via the OIFW website for a chance to showcase collections during the season.

Fall 2025 Fashion Shows and Tickets
Two major events headline OIFW this November:

• OIFW Fashion & Art at CityArts – Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Sponsored by Downtown Arts District, the show will merge visual art and high fashion in a single evening.

• OIFW Fashion Shows: Eola View – Sunday, November 16, 2025, featuring two full runway productions at 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM, spotlighting top designers from Orlando and beyond.

Early-bird tickets for both events are available now on Eventbrite, with organizers encouraging attendees to secure seats early for the immersive fashion and art showcases.

Despite prostate cancer being one of the most common cancers in men, many choose to suffer in silence. In Part 1, I shared my brother Rob’s journey with prostate cancer. In our own family, we discovered this silence firsthand. Only after Rob underwent surgery did relatives reveal that our late grandfather had battled prostate cancer years earlier, something no one had ever discussed openly (Fernandez, 2025). This hush-hush approach is all too common. Why don’t people share what they are going through? Shame, stigma, and the desire to appear strong often play a role. In this second part of our Prostate Cancer Awareness Month series, we will explore the reasons behind this silence and how, as friends, family, and a society, we can encourage more open conversations. We will discuss the impact of shame and masculinity on men’s willingness to share, how to ask the right questions to support someone who may be hiding their struggle, and the benefits of awareness campaigns in changing perceptions and saving lives. We will also highlight key resources, including hotlines and hospitals, that provide support and information for individuals facing prostate cancer. It is time to break the silence and replace shame with support.

Why Many Suffer in Silence: Understanding Shame and Stigma

If your loved one is hesitant to tell others about their diagnosis, understand that it is not because they do not need support; often, it is because cancer can feel deeply personal and stigmatizing. This is especially true for prostate cancer in men. Culturally, many men are taught to be stoic and hide their vulnerability, as shown in studies of cancer patients and mental health help-seeking, which discourage emotional expression and delay support (Gomez et al., 2022; Mokhwelepa, 2025). A serious illness challenges that image. Experts note that many men prefer to keep a cancer diagnosis private because they do not like attention for a vulnerability such as a life-threatening illness, and wish to be seen as strong and capable (Michigan Medicine, 2024). In prostate cancer, treatment side effects like urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction are sensitive topics that men often feel embarrassed to discuss (Michigan Medicine, 2024). That silence matches what we experienced in my family.

Feelings of shame or failure can also accompany a cancer diagnosis. A 2024 survey by Maggie’s of 500 men with cancer found that 17% felt embarrassed about their diagnosis, 12% felt guilty, 41% felt anxious, and 23% felt lonely (Maggie’s, 2024). The survey also revealed that 42% had not asked for support beyond medical care; of those, 14% cited embarrassment as a reason, 21% stated they didn’t want to discuss their feelings, and 15% believed support was not for men (Maggie’s, 2024). These statistics reflect real barriers that many men face in opening up about their cancer journey.

For men, traditional notions of masculinity can stop help-seeking. My brother Rob shared in his interview (Fernandez, 2025) that there was pressure to appear strong; admitting vulnerability felt like admitting failure. Also, the prostate’s link to sexual and urinary functions means symptoms like erectile difficulties or frequent urination are hard to talk about, even with close friends. Many fear being pitied or judged; many isolate themselves or keep their diagnosis details private.

Encouraging Openness: Asking the Right Questions and Offering Safe Space

How can we help someone who may be reluctant to share their cancer journey? The first step is to create a safe, nonjudgmental environment. You cannot force someone to open up, but you can gently invite conversation and make clear you are available and supportive. Asking open-ended, empathetic questions shows you care without pressuring them.

Here are some strategies for dialogue:

• Choose the right time and place: Privacy matters. Talk one-on-one, during a walk, in the car, or whenever they feel safe.
• Start with care and concern: A question like, “How are you feeling these days?” or “I’ve been thinking of you, how are things going with your health?” can open doors. Even if they say “I’m fine,” you signal that you are ready to listen.
• Use empathy in your questions: For example, “What has been hardest about this for you?” or “Is there something you wish people asked you, but they don’t?” Let them lead in what they share.
• Normalize talking about illness: You might say, “Lots of men feel shame or fear about this, you are not alone.” Rob said in his interview (Fernandez, 2025) that knowing someone was willing to listen without judgment made it easier for him to share gradually.
• Be ready to simply listen: If they open up, resist offering solutions or platitudes. Just hearing someone say, “I hear you,” or “Thanks for sharing that” can be huge.

Also, respect their pace. Not everyone is ready for deep conversations. Sometimes, just a consistent willingness to be present is enough. Reassure them that seeking emotional support is not a weakness. A survivor quoted by Maggie’s said, “You learn that resilience and strength actually are not some macho idea of being strong. Strength is facing difficult things and talking about them honestly” (Maggie’s, 2024). That idea breaks down stigma.

The Power of Awareness Campaigns: From Stigma to Support

This is where public awareness plays a critical role. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which occurs each September, and Movember-style campaigns exist because talking openly saves lives. When diseases are removed from shame and silence, two things happen: stigma decreases, and early detection increases.

Reducing stigma: Awareness campaigns promote real stories and accurate information. Experts like Daniela Wittmann at Michigan Medicine point out that side effects often feared by men, such as erectile dysfunction or urinary leaks, are manageable and not abnormal (Michigan Medicine, 2024). When public figures share openly, it reassures others that vulnerability does not mean shame or defeat.

Encouraging early detection: Early detection greatly improves outcomes. Michigan Medicine reports that for men diagnosed early, survival rates are very high (Michigan Medicine, 2024). But because early prostate cancer often has no symptoms, men may not seek PSA tests or exams until things are advanced. Awareness efforts help change that; campaign messages, community outreach, clinic screenings, and culturally relevant education can prompt more men to get checked (American Cancer Society, 2023; Michigan Medicine, 2024).

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month matters not just for awareness, but for shaping policy, funding, and social norms. When health systems, communities, and families invest in open conversation and support, people feel safer, understood, and more likely to seek care early.

Resources and Support: You Are Not Alone

• American Cancer Society (ACS): Offers comprehensive information, treatment options, support groups, and a 24-hour helpline.
• YouTube / Joanne Fernandez Podcast: Rob’s interview (Fernandez, 2025) shares honest reflections that help normalize conversations about prostate cancer.
• Michigan Medicine, ZERO Prostate Cancer, Malecare: Organizations that offer education, counseling, peer support, and reliable online resources.
• 211 Helpline: Connects you to local resources for emotional, logistical, or financial support (United Way 211, n.d.).

When offering resources, do so with kindness and empowerment. “Would you like me to send these so you can look over them?” or “I can go with you to the support group if you like” shows solidarity more than simple lists.

Conclusion

Breaking the silence around prostate cancer starts with each of us. When people like my brother share their stories publicly, they help dissolve the inherited shame and hush that have held families back. As a friend or family member, your role is vital. You can encourage openness by asking caring questions, listening without judgment, and affirming that seeking support is a brave act. As a community, we must insist we talk about prostate cancer not as an embarrassment, but as a journey many endure, and one from which many survive.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month may only last 30 days, but the conversation behind it should last year-round. Let us stand together to transform silence into awareness, shame into support, and fear into action.

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About the Author: Dr. Jessica Henlon holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Education. She is an Education Contributor for Florida National News. Dr. Henlon can be reached at Education@FloridaNationalNews.com or book.jessicahenlon@gmail.com.

By Dr. Jessica Henlon | Education Contributor for Florida National News

A prostate cancer diagnosis impacts the patient and their family deeply, often initiating an emotional experience that resembles the stages of grief. When my brother Rob learned he had prostate cancer at age 50, he recalled in his interview on the Joanne Fernandez (2025) Podcast (Prostate Cancer: Breaking the Silence! What Every Man Should Know) that his first thoughts were, “Does this mean I’m going to die? Why me?. Those fears and shock are natural. In fact, psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross famously described five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, which many people experience when facing a life-changing illness (Kübler-Ross, 1969; Kübler-Ross & Kessler, 2005). Not everyone goes through all five stages or in a neat order, but recognizing these common reactions can help you coach someone through the process with empathy. In this article, we will explore how to support a loved one with prostate cancer, from understanding their emotional stages to providing family support, to mastering what not to say. The goal is to help you be a steady, compassionate coach through the ups and downs of their cancer journey.

Acknowledging the Emotional Stages of a Cancer Diagnosis

Hearing “you have cancer” often triggers an emotional rollercoaster. Your loved one may initially insist, “this can’t be happening” (denial) or ask, “why me?” in frustration (anger). They might bargain internally (“if I eat healthier, maybe it will go away”) or feel depressed and fearful about the future. Ultimately, many reach a level of acceptance, not “giving up,” but coming to terms with the reality. It is important to remember that these emotions are normal responses to serious illness. The Kübler-Ross model of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, is a well-known framework describing how people often cope with life-changing diagnoses. However, everyone is different: they might cycle through emotions in no set order or even experience multiple feelings at once. For example, Rob shared in his YouTube interview (Fernandez, 2025) that he felt shock and denial when he first got the news. He had no apparent symptoms and no known family history, so it did not feel real. Allow your loved one to have their feelings, and reassure them that whatever they are feeling is okay. By understanding the emotional stages, you, as a supporter, can better anticipate their needs. For instance, during the denial or “numb” phase, they may need information repeated and help processing the news. During anger, they might require patience and a nonjudgmental ear. If depression hits, they will need encouragement that they are not alone and that help exists. In all stages, empathy and patience are key.

Do not rush acceptance or falsely cheer them up. Pushing someone to “stay positive” too quickly can feel invalidating. Psychologists note that most people do not experience these stages in a tidy progression, and there is no “right” way to cope (CURE Today, 2023). Instead of trying to fix their feelings, start by acknowledging them. You might say, “I know this news is devastating and you’re scared, that’s completely understandable.” Validating their experience helps them feel seen and supported. Remember: acknowledgment is not the same as giving up hope; it’s about meeting them where they are emotionally, so you can help them move forward when ready.

The Importance of Family Support (and Avoiding Minimization)

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply be there. Social and family support has a profound impact on a cancer patient’s well-being. Research has tied strong social support to improved coping and even better health outcomes in serious illnesses. For example, a study of cancer patients found those with low social support had significantly higher mortality rates than those with strong support systems (National Foundation for Cancer Research, 2020). In Rob’s case, our large family became his backbone: just before surgery, he was surrounded by 80 relatives at a reunion, plus his loving wife and kids. That community of support gave him strength and hope heading into treatment. As he put it, “When you have that core support, you feel you can overcome anything (Fernandez, 2025).”

Active family involvement, whether it’s accompanying them to appointments, helping with chores, or organizing visits, can significantly relieve the patient’s stress. It also combats the isolation that often comes with cancer. Sometimes support means rallying around them for a fun celebration (like Rob’s pre-surgery birthday reunion, which his doctor encouraged so he’d go into treatment in good spirits). Other times, support means quiet presence on a tough day.

While you offer help, be careful not to minimize what they’re going through. It’s natural to want to cheer them up by finding a “silver lining,” but phrases like “Well, at least it’s early stage” or “At least prostate cancer is treatable”, though well-intentioned, can feel dismissive. Avoid comparisons or downplaying the situation. Cancer etiquette guides caution that comparing or saying “at least it isn’t worse” can minimize your loved one’s feelings, whereas it’s more supportive to acknowledge their reality (Cancer Etiquette, n.d.). For instance, instead of “At least it’s not as bad as X,” you can say, “I can’t imagine how hard this is, but I’m here for you no matter what.” Similarly, avoid telling them to “stay positive” 24/7. Toxic positivity can backfire; your loved one needs the freedom to express fear or sadness without feeling guilty.

What to say and not say: Here are a few do’s and don’ts to guide you:

• DO acknowledge their feelings: “I understand you’re scared and angry, anyone would be.”
• DO reassure them of your support: “You’re not alone in this. We will get through it together.”
• DO NOT say “I know exactly how you feel” (you don’t, and it shifts focus to you) or “At least you have the ‘good’ cancer”. Such comments, even meant to console, can invalidate their experience.
• DO NOT brush off their emotions with “stay strong” or “be positive” only. They may feel pressure to hide their true feelings. Encourage hope, but also let them vent.

Above all, listening and empathy trump perfect words. It’s okay to admit, “I don’t know what to say, but I care about you.” Often, presence speaks louder than platitudes.

Coaching Through Active Listening

One of the most valuable skills you can offer is active listening. When a loved one is coping with cancer, they need a safe outlet for their fears and hopes. Active listening means giving your full attention and truly hearing them without judgment. This involves being fully present, tuning in to both their words and their body language, and responding with empathy and understanding (Weger, Castle Bell, Minei, & Robinson, 2014; American Cancer Society, n.d.). By listening attentively, you create a space where they feel safe to express anger, fear, or sadness without fear of being judged or “bringing you down.”

Some tips for active listening to someone with cancer:

• Minimize distractions: Set aside the phone, turn off the TV, and find a quiet space so they know they have your focus.
• Use body language: Nod, maintain comfortable eye contact, and lean in to show engagement. Often, a gentle touch or holding their hand (if appropriate) can convey support without words.
• Don’t interrupt or rush to give advice. Let them speak at their own pace. Silence is okay; it may take time for them to formulate their thoughts. Avoid jumping in with your own stories or solutions unless they ask, this conversation is about them.
• Reflect and validate: Paraphrase what they’ve said to show you understand (“It sounds like the treatment process is really overwhelming for you.”). Acknowledge their emotions (“I hear that you’re frustrated and that makes a lot of sense given what you’re facing”). This validation can be incredibly comforting, because it tells them you truly hear and accept what they’re feeling.
• Ask open-ended questions when appropriate: Gentle prompts like “How are you feeling about the upcoming surgery?” or “What worries you most right now?” invite them to share more, on their own terms. If they seem hesitant or private, do not push; just remind them you’re available whenever they do want to talk.

Crucially, active listening also means resisting the urge to minimize or immediately cheerlead. If your friend says, “I’m terrified about my results,” an active listening response might be, “That is completely understandable. Waiting is so hard. What part is scaring you the most?” rather than, “Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be fine!” By acknowledging their fear, you show empathy; by asking a follow-up, you allow them to delve deeper if they wish. As a supporter, your role is not to fix their pain but to honor it and help them carry it. Paradoxically, when people feel heard and validated, it often lightens their emotional burden.

Active listening can be emotionally intense, so remember to take care of yourself, too. It’s okay to feel sad or overwhelmed by what you hear. Consider debriefing with a counselor or support group for caregivers if needed. But avoid dumping those feelings back on the patient. Your calm, steady presence is a gift. Sometimes, just sitting together in silence, or listening to them cry and saying “I’m here,” speaks louder than any advice.

Being Present: Support Through Actions and Understanding

Beyond words, actions matter. Coaching someone through cancer is also about practical support and simply showing up. Offer to help in concrete ways, but always tailor it to their needs and preferences:

• Help with daily tasks: Treatment can be draining. You might cook meals, run errands, help with childcare, or take on household chores so they can rest. Even small gestures, such as doing their laundry or bringing groceries, can lift a weight off their shoulders. Importantly, ask before you do, and if they hesitate to ask for help (as many proud individuals do), make specific offers (“Can I come by Wednesday to mow the lawn and bring dinner?”). This shows initiative without taking away their sense of control. 
• Accompany them to appointments: Medical visits can be scary and information-heavy. Having a supportive companion to take notes or just hold their hand in the waiting room is invaluable. Rob mentioned that having family members at some of his appointments made the process less lonely and ensured nothing the doctor said was missed. 
• Learn about the illness: Educating yourself about prostate cancer (from reliable sources like the Mayo Clinic, 2024, or American Cancer Society, 2023) can help you understand what your loved one is going through. It shows you care enough to speak their language, whether it’s knowing what a PSA test or biopsy is, or being aware of common side effects from surgery or radiation. Just be careful not to overload them with information or unsolicited internet research. Use your knowledge to empathize better and assist when they have questions.

Finally, encourage them to lean on wider support networks, too. Family support is crucial, but sometimes a patient benefits from talking to others outside the immediate family, like professional counselors, peer support groups, or spiritual advisors. If you sense they’re struggling in ways you can’t help (for example, persistent depression or anxiety), gently suggest resources such as a cancer support group or therapist. You might say, “Lots of people find it helpful to talk with others who’ve been through this. I can help you look for a support group if you’re interested.” Normalize that seeking help beyond family is a sign of strength, not weakness.

In summary, guiding a loved one through the journey of prostate cancer means meeting them where they are. Recognize the emotional turbulence they’re experiencing; offer steady, nonjudgmental support; listen more than you speak; and be a partner in practical matters as well as an emotional rock. By avoiding minimizing language and practicing active listening and empathy, you validate their experience. By rallying family support and being present, you remind them they’re not alone. This compassionate coaching can make a world of difference in how your loved one copes and heals. As Rob said after coming through surgery and recovery, he’s gained a new perspective on life, and having family by his side at every step “brought so much perspective and comfort” during his hardest days. Your support can be that light for someone navigating the darkness of a cancer diagnosis.

(Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will explore why many people keep their diagnoses private and how awareness and open conversations can break the stigma.)

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About the Author: Dr. Jessica Henlon holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Education. She is an Education Contributor for Florida National News. Dr. Henlon can be reached at Education@FloridaNationalNews.com or book.jessicahenlon@gmail.com.