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.

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The family of 31-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, joined by famed civil rights attorney Ben Crump, held a press conference demanding answers after Zavala’s tragic death on Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Stardust Racers roller coaster.

Attorney Ben Crump Questions Safety of Universal’s Epic Universe Roller Coaster After Death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala in Orlando, Florida. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News

Zavala, described by loved ones as a lifelong Central Florida resident and “roller coaster freak” who loved theme parks, died last week after becoming unresponsive on the dual-launch coaster, which reaches speeds of 62 mph. The Orange County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as “multiple blunt impact injuries” and listed the manner of death as accidental.

Despite those findings, Crump cast doubt on the coaster’s safety protocols, vowing to push for transparency and accountability from Universal Orlando Resort and state investigators.

Family and Attorneys Demand Transparency

During the press conference, Zavala’s parents, and siblings remembered him as independent and active despite a spinal disability that required the use of a wheelchair. “This night, he was fine,” Crump said, noting Zavala had no medical restrictions and had safely ridden other attractions earlier that same day at Epic Universe.

Crump rejected the notion that Zavala’s disability caused his death, instead pointing to the medical examiner’s report of blunt force trauma. “We have to know what happened,” Crump emphasized. He argued that Zavala’s injuries indicated his head may have struck part of the ride or restraints multiple times, leaving him unconscious for much of the ride.

Family, Lawyers Demand Answers in Death of Disabled Man on Universal’s Stardust Racers Ride, Orlando, Florida. Photo by J Willie David, III

Attorney Natalie Jackson, who is also representing the family, echoed that conclusion, citing eyewitness accounts of repeated head strikes. “His disability did not kill him,” Jackson stated firmly. “It was the blunt force trauma.”

Universal and State Investigators Defend Safety Measures

Karen Irwin, president of Universal Orlando Resort, issued a statement saying that the theme park’s internal review found all ride systems functioning normally, with equipment intact and staff procedures properly followed. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services echoed those findings in its initial review.

The park’s accessibility guide warns that riders must be able to maintain upright posture, support their torso and head, and brace with at least one arm during sudden ride movements. Despite this, Universal has closed the Stardust Racers indefinitely while conducting a full safety review with its manufacturer.

Crump, however, insisted that Universal’s review is not enough. He said the family has requested release of maintenance logs, inspection records, ride data, and video footage. The attorneys also plan to hire independent experts in ride safety, design, and operations to conduct their own investigation.

Push for Stronger Theme Park Safety Laws

Crump drew comparisons to his work on the high-profile case of Tyre Sampson, the 14-year-old who fell to his death from the drop tower at Orlando’s ICON Park in 2022. That case spurred the Tyre Sampson Act, championed by the late Florida State Senator Geraldine Thompson, which tightened safety requirements for smaller attractions.

“All we’re asking is that these multi-billion-dollar entities put safety above profits, so no one else dies on their rides,” Crump said. He confirmed to Florida National News that he is already in discussions with Florida lawmakers about expanding safety regulations to include the state’s largest theme parks.

Meanwhile, Zavala’s family is preparing to lay him to rest. His funeral will take place Friday, September 26, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Funerari San Juan Funeral Home on South John Young Parkway in Kissimmee. The public is invited to attend.

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Monica Hoyos and J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – Florida National News proudly recognizes Javier Garcia, a dedicated sports reporter for FNN News en Español and co-host of the FNN News en Español Podcast Talk Show, during Hispanic Heritage Month 2025. Garcia’s story highlights his contributions not only to journalism, but also to Florida’s metal fabrication industry and his commitment to youth advocacy.

Javier Garcia manufactured more than 700 pairs of handrails for Toledo scales, the iconic weighing machines placed at Publix supermarket entrances.

Javier Garcia began his professional journey in the metal fabrication industry.

From Metal Fabrication to Lasting Impact

Garcia began his professional journey in the metal fabrication industry, working for Downing Sheet Metal, a Winter Park company with over 100 years of history. This role taught him discipline, teamwork, and innovation. At just 20 years old, Garcia manufactured more than 700 pairs of handrails for Toledo scales, the iconic weighing machines placed at Publix supermarket entrances. His craftsmanship became part of Florida’s everyday history, a contribution that continues to touch countless lives.

Garcia also carried his mentorship into youth sports. Parents named him coach of his daughter’s soccer team, he instilled teamwork, discipline, and joy for the game.

Advocacy and Mentorship for Youth

Beyond his industrial contributions, Garcia has dedicated his time to uplifting young people. He visited correctional facilities to motivate and inspire incarcerated youth, earning a Certificate of Appreciation from the State of Florida, presented under Secretary James V. Crosby Jr. and Administrator Charles E. Germony. His encouragement focused on ethics, resilience, and self-respect—values that continue to shape the next generation.

Garcia also carried his mentorship into youth sports. When parents named him coach of his daughter’s soccer team, he instilled teamwork, discipline, and joy for the game. Later, in volleyball, his guidance transformed a struggling team into victors, reminding young athletes to focus on good serves, joy, and encouragement. That single win symbolized more than a scoreline—it was a triumph of character and unity.

Media, Community, and Continuing Legacy

As a reporter and podcast host for FNN News en Español, Javier Garcia brings his passion for storytelling to the broader Hispanic community. His sports coverage spans the Orlando Magic, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride, and other major sporting events. Beyond sports, Garcia reports on cultural moments such as the annual Florida Puerto Rican Parade and Festival in Downtown Orlando, as well as everyday events that matter to the community. Through his work, he amplifies Hispanic voices, highlights community achievements, and inspires others to share their stories. Garcia also invites members of the Hispanic community to participate as guests on the FNN News en Español Podcast Talk Show, ensuring their contributions are celebrated and remembered.

Florida National News proudly honors Javier Garcia for his passion, integrity, and lasting contributions across industries and generations.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com