Dr. Charles R. Rogers: Black Men, Colorectal Cancer, and the Fight for Health Equity

Dr. Charles R. Rogers is a rock star in the field of cancer health disparities and inequities in men’s health. He is a behavioral scientist and master certified health education specialist (MCHES).

Dr. Rogers is a tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Utah’s School of Medicine, where he founded the Men’s Health Inequities Research Lab.

Just last year, He also founded the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, focused on removing obstacles to equity among African-American men and other underrepresented populations by increasing awareness of Colorectal cancer.

African-American men have died from colorectal cancer at the highest rates of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. for more than 25 years. They are less frequently enrolled in clinical trials, and less likely to be offered genetic testing, palliative care, and other critical supports. Dr. Rogers is helping to lead the movement to change that picture. 

In some of Dr. Rogers’ latest research, he shows that men who identify as “strong” are the least likely to get cancer screenings. If they get diagnosed with cancer, they are also less likely to seek second opinions, or get help for mental health problems. All of this puts these men at HIGHER risk to die from cancer, and to NOT be around to care for their families. 

So the men who think of themselves as strong, are actually behaving in a way that makes them vulnerable. This is the same exact barrier that I’m confronting in my advocacy work with Man Up to Cancer! We need to change culture so that screening for cancer is a sign of strength, not of weakness. 

For a full bio of Dr. Rogers, click here to visit his website.