How Sentara is fighting prostate cancer with corvettes, conversations, and screenings

On a recent afternoon, dozens of Corvettes of all colors and varieties rolled into Sentara Princess Anne Hospital's parking lot. The gleaming cars drew attention - and that was exactly the point.

This year, Sentara is bringing prostate cancer awareness and prevention efforts to an unexpected setting through a partnership with the Street Dreams Corvette Club. The goal: spark conversations about men's health in a unique and approachable way.

"Health information doesn't have to stay inside hospital walls," said Betsy Carroll, community cancer educator for Sentara. "Sometimes the best way to reach people is to meet them where they are and have a conversation in a setting that feels familiar and comfortable."

The collaboration began when Carroll connected with club leaders and provided a prostate cancer education session for them. The partnership grew when the club wanted to help raise awareness for early detection at cancer screening events. Their first event together was a recent employee appreciation event at the hospital, where seven men chose to get a screening.

Street Dreams Corvette Club President John Davis said the concept immediately resonated with him.

"As soon as Betsy brought the idea to me, I thought it was a great way to reach people," Davis said. "The more men we can encourage to learn about prostate cancer and get screened, the better."

The timing is intentional. September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and according to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the No. 1 cancer diagnosed in men and the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among men. An estimated 333,830 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States in 2026, and approximately 36,320 will die from the disease.

Matt Smith, radiology technologist at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, undergoes a PSA blood test during an employee prostate cancer screening event at the hospital.

How Sentara is helping men catch prostate cancer early

While prostate cancer can be serious, many cases are highly treatable when found early. The five-year survival rate exceeds 99% when the disease is localized to the prostate - but drops significantly when cancer spreads to other parts of the body.

"Many prostate cancers are slow growing, and many men die with prostate cancer, not because of it," Carroll said. "The key is finding cancers early, when patients have the greatest number of treatment options and the best chance for positive outcomes."

That's why Sentara's focus continues to be on increasing awareness, expanding access to screenings, and helping patients navigate care when follow-up is needed.

So far this year, the Sentara Cancer Community Health Educator team has hosted 43 prostate cancer screening events throughout Hampton Roads, Virginia, partnering with organizations that serve uninsured, underinsured, and higher-risk populations.

Prostate cancer symptoms and understanding risk

Although all men can develop prostate cancer, Black men face a disproportionate burden. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Black men. They are more likely to develop the disease at younger ages, experience more aggressive cancers, and die from prostate cancer at more than twice the rate of white men.

In 2024, Sentara adopted risk-appropriate screening guidelines for Black men and others considered at higher risk for prostate cancer. For high-risk individuals, screening begins with a PSA blood test between ages 40 and 45. Men at average risk are encouraged to begin annual screening at age 50. A digital rectal exam is no longer considered a first-line screening tool but may be used as a follow-up evaluation.

"Education, early identification, and care coordination all play a role in improving outcomes," Carroll said. "We want men to understand their risk, know when to get screened, and feel empowered to have conversations with their providers."

Men should also talk with their provider if they have a family history of prostate cancer or experience symptoms, such as:

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• A weak urine stream
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine
• Persistent pelvic discomfort

"Many men assume urinary symptoms are just part of aging," Carroll said. "Sometimes they're not. Even when symptoms aren't related to cancer, they may point to another condition that should be evaluated."

Martrice Chaviest, security officer at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, checks out the corvettes before getting a prostate cancer screening.

An unexpected partnership: Corvettes and cancer awareness

For Street Dreams Corvette Club Public Relations Representative Victor Brown, the education and early detection efforts are personal. His father lived with prostate cancer for nearly 30 years after being diagnosed.

"I don't believe in letting my doctor be the only one who understands what's going on," Brown said. "The more you know, the better prepared you are to ask questions, advocate for yourself, and make informed decisions about your health."

Carroll hopes the Corvette club partnership helps normalize conversations around prostate health and encourages more men to act.

"If someone comes for the cars and leaves with information that helps them schedule a screening or talk with their doctor, that's a success," she said. "One conversation can make all the difference."

The partnership will continue Labor Day Weekend at the 18th Annual Boulevard of Wheels Custom Car Show in Virginia Beach, where more than 150 vehicles are expected to be on display. Sentara will provide a "Pit Stop for Prostate Cancer" booth, where attendees can receive PSA screenings and prostate cancer education.