When a diagnosis like cancer arrives out of the blue, it can shake anyone to their core — even someone as confident and resilient as Real Housewives of Atlanta star and celebrity hairstylist Dwight Eubanks. Earlier this year, at 64, Eubanks faced the shocking news of prostate cancer despite feeling healthy and having no symptoms. Now, he’s using his voice to inspire men, especially Black men, to prioritize their health and get screened early.
Eubanks shared with PEOPLE how nearly 30 years ago, his grandfather kept his prostate cancer diagnosis a secret and later died from the disease. “So I’m thinking that I’m good,” Eubanks recalled. “I was confident that I was Superman. I was cleared. I was going to be okay and I just never thought about it.”
But the reality was different. At a health fair hosted by his church in January, routine bloodwork revealed something concerning. “A week later, my doctor called and told me to come in as soon as possible,” Eubanks said. Despite feeling fine, the follow-up tests confirmed he had prostate cancer.
“I was shocked. I was angry,” he said. “I was just emotionally a wreck.” He admitted, “When you hear the word cancer, you freak out. I’m human. Society has told us that cancer was just devastating and, you know, you just have days to live. So of course I freaked out and I think I’m still freaked out.”
Prostate cancer is the second-most common cancer among men in the U.S., and Black men face even higher risks — both in diagnosis and mortality rates. Eubanks’s story underscores the importance of awareness and early detection, especially within communities disproportionately affected.
What added to his frustration was discovering that his PSA levels were elevated as far back as 2022, but no one had mentioned it during his routine checkups. “I was like, are you kidding me? This was back in 2022 and nobody said anything to me,” he said. “I guess they just weren’t looking at that.”
Despite this, the Real Housewives of Atlanta star chooses resilience and humor. “I just have to laugh instead of crying about this whole journey,” he reflected.
Now, to mark Men’s Health Month, Eubanks is partnering with ZERO Prostate Cancer as their new brand ambassador to raise awareness. He will also be a featured speaker at ZERO’s Virtual Education and Support Summit from June 3-5.
“What’s amazing about it is that I feel like a higher power has been preparing me for this moment to be a light of hope for others,” he shared. Unlike his grandfather, Eubanks insists on transparency: “I could not be silent with this because it could help people if they just get tested and don’t wait too long. And most important: ask questions, look at your records, investigate.”
While he’s still working with a team of doctors to determine the best treatment plan, he is determined not to let prostate cancer define him. “I have a great team, about four different doctors… I’m comfortable and I’m forever grateful to have such a team and support. And we are going to figure it out.”
Above all, Eubanks remains optimistic: “I feel good. I’m 64, that’s young to me… We’re all going to go through something. But when we reach those bridges, you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and carry on. Because life really is a beautiful thing.”
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