Washington, D.C. — October 31, 2025 — As Breast Cancer Awareness Month concludes, local health experts are emphasizing that improving breast health outcomes requires year-round efforts, particularly in underserved communities across the D.C. metropolitan area. Maryland-based urologist Dr. Arthur Burnett, known for his work in prostate cancer care, is joining forces with community leaders to advance health literacy, patient advocacy, and equitable access to care.
Dr. Burnett’s advocacy aligns with initiatives like DC Health’s Project WISH, which has received $290,000 from Mayor Muriel Bowser’s FY26 Grow DC Budget to provide free breast and cervical cancer screenings across all eight wards. The program also offers patient navigators and transportation support, assisting over 1,300 women with care coordination this year alone.
Health equity remains a pressing concern. While breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women, Black women in the District are nearly twice as likely to die from it compared to their white counterparts. According to DC Health Director Dr. Ayanna Bennett, advancing early detection, reducing cultural stigma, and increasing health literacy are essential components in closing this gap.
Storytelling and patient advocacy also play a crucial role. Desiree Waters, a three-time breast cancer survivor from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has shared her experiences in the 2025 collection “When Cancer Knocks at Your Door”. Her journey with metastatic breast cancer exemplifies resilience and the power of patient voices to inspire awareness and action.
Dr. Burnett stresses that year-round engagement is key to sustainable change.
“Improving access to screenings and treatment is critical, but we also have to empower individuals to take responsibility for their own health,” said Dr. Burnett. “Better communication, awareness, and proactive care at all levels can make a real difference.”
About Dr. Arthur L. “Bud” Burnett II
Arthur L. “Bud” Burnett II, MD, MBA, FACS, is a trailblazing and globally recognized urologist, educator, and researcher at Johns Hopkins University, where he has served for more than 40 years as the Patrick C. Walsh Professor of Urology and Director of the Male Consultation Clinic. Celebrated as the first Black professor of urology at Johns Hopkins and past president of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, Dr. Burnett pioneered research that made Viagra possible, performed thousands of prostate and urologic surgeries, and authored more than 500 peer-reviewed publications and three books — The Manhood Rx, Johns Hopkins Patient’s Guide to Prostate Cancer, and Prostate Cancer Survivors Speak Their Minds. He is also founder of UroMissionsWorks, a nonprofit expanding urologic care worldwide, and a decorated U.S. Army veteran.
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