Malecare’s Trust in Doctors Conference on June 26, 2024, brought together 963 participants online to address how racism undermines trust. Produced by Malecare (USA) and Prostate Cancer Research (UK), with support from the Black Prostate Cancer Coalition and the National LGBT Cancer Project, the event featured speakers from diverse fields, including social work, nursing, pharmacy, and oncology.

Key Findings
Audience comments underscored that Black communities span varied faiths, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic levels; “one-size-fits-all” approaches and simplistic messaging foster mistrust. Attendees stressed that they are not “victims” nor lacking intelligence, so doctors should replace condescending communication with nuanced explanations that respect patient agency.
Audience Perspectives
Attendee feedback, gathered after the conference, underscored a desire for authenticity and respect. Many participants emphasized that Black communities are diverse across faiths, sexual orientations, economic strata, and educational backgrounds. They urged doctors to avoid reducing them to stereotypes or assuming they have limited means or knowledge. Comments also challenged the notion of “short and simple” explanations for Black patients, interpreting such oversimplification as patronizing. Instead, they called for nuanced, informative conversations that respect their autonomy and intellect. Many expressed anger at “one-and-done” health promotion events aimed at minority communities, labeling them as performative acts that fail to address root causes of racial disparities.

Speakers’ Perspectives

Professor Chanita Hughes-Halbert emphasized that trust is anchored in transparent information sharing. Participants in clinical research should receive updates about outcomes to avoid feeling exploited. Patient navigation programs, staffed by people who understand cultural contexts, help reinforce trust.
Dr. Patrick Nyikavaranda called for collaboration with local organizations to ensure relevant interventions.
Stephanie, a nurse with metastatic breast cancer, spoke of being dismissed by a doctor who minimized her pain, blaming stereotypes ingrained in medical education.
Nurse Practitioner Jonah Rusere observed that many Black men confide in him because they feel misunderstood by physicians. Some rely on traditional healers, using Western diagnostics mainly for confirmation.
Survivor Brian Quavar noted that even when Black men are aware of higher prostate cancer risks, optional or discouraged testing prevents timely diagnosis.
Dr. Veronica Ajewole linked systemic racism to delayed screenings and more aggressive disease at diagnosis.
Conclusion
Presenters demonstrated that racism erodes trust in health systems, leading to underdiagnosis, reduced adherence, and poorer outcomes. They also provided tangible solutions, from redesigning research funding to addressing social inequities, to building better patient-provider communication. By treating Black patients and other marginalized groups as informed stakeholders, healthcare professionals can strengthen trust, improve care experiences, and bridge longstanding gaps in prostate cancer outcomes.