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Books I Have Read

Life After the Killer:
Four African-American Men, Childhood Friends, Chronicle Their Battle With The Deadly Disease Cancer

A Book Review

By Obi. O. Akwani, MGV Editor

Four successful middleclass Americans, all about the same age, grew up in the same New Orleans LA neighborhood; went to the same school, played and got into trouble together. They grow up, go their separate ways but stay in-touch with one another. Then, in their late 50s, they are afflicted by cancer all about the same time. As is often the case when people must face personal challenges, each man believes he has to go through the ordeal alone, until by chance one of them, just newly diagnosed learns that one other of the four is battle the disease also. When they discovered that they had all been afflicted about the same time, they decided to fight.

From feeling hopeless, like individuals under a death sentence, they grew in confidence and belief that "We can beat this thing."

This book, "You Have Cancer" by Ronald P. Bazile, Sr., Ellis M. Brossett, Sr., Preston J. Edwards, Sr., and Benjamin M. Priestley, with Don Spears as editor, is one result of that resolve to fight and beat this disease which is described as the second deadliest killer of Americans after heart disease.

In the process of dealing with their own afflictions, these four African-Americans learn something else which is not widely known in the African-American community -- "By far ... the highest incidence of cancer and the highest mortality from it occur among African-American men."

This knowledge provided them a greater impetus for writing their book. They wrote to "spread the word... to wake up the flock."

The most prominent message coming out of this book is the fact that cancer can be beaten; that being diagnosed with it does not have to be a death sentence; that people who are stricken with cancer can fight back; that surviving cancer is as much a matter of the attitude of mind as it is of treatment and medication.

The cancer patient is advised to be involved in their own treatment; not to be passive about the choice and course of their own treatment; they are informed that they should be active participants with the doctors in making the decision as to how to treat the disease afflicting them.

Beyond the story of their struggle with a deadly disease, there is also the story of enduring friendships, strong family bonds and mutual support that these men have nurtured over the years. It is a story of four families that are brought closer together to fight an afflicted that affected one of them. Ellis Brossett and his wife Joyce were separated, on the point of divorce and living apart from each other in different cities when he was diagnosed. Mrs. Brossett rallied to her husband's support. The couple eventually reconciled, cancelled their divorce plans and moved back together.

It may perhaps be considered mysterious how four men so closely associated can be attacked at the same time by this deadly disease. Perhaps there is something in the fact that they grew up together in a neighborhood where industrial pollution helped create a geographical zone that is described as a "cancer Corridor" in Louisiana. Ronald Bazile, a Vietnam veteran believes his prostrate cancer may have been caused the chemical weapon, agent orange, which was employed by US forces in Vietnam in a campaign of deforestation.

Whatever the actual cause of their affliction, the fact that these four men are African-Americans is increasingly significant in the American cancer story. The statistics are revealing -- more African-Americans are getting stricken with cancer and more of them are dying from it than any other racial group in America. The reason for why the situation is so is not very clear, but doctors say African-American men smoke more, have diets high in animal fats and low in vegetables and fruits. They also tend to be more overweight; all these things are causes of cancer, the doctors say.

As far as these cancer-survivor authors are concerned, African-Americans can beat this "terrible disease that has declared war on African-American men in particular. ...We must spread the word about what is happening to us. We cannot be vulnerable, we cannot get soft, and we can not overlook even the slightest danger sign." -- P 88

Awareness is always the key to surviving and defeating any kind of challenge. If people are aware, they can acquire the know-how and the tools with which to fight and defeat whatever afflicts them. This is what the authors are advocating for the African-American community. A life of faith and prayer is also critical in combating life's challenges. Creating awareness among family and friends also creates a wider network of support. This book is a must read for every African-American.