Real Housewives of Atlanta Star Dwight Eubanks Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer - suong

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Dwight Eubanks reveals that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The celebrity hairstylist, 64, opened up to PEOPLE exclusively about being diagnosed earlier this year and why he’s so adamant about encouraging others to stay on top of their health.

Nearly 30 years ago, Eubanks’ grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He kept his diagnosis a secret from family before later dying from the disease. From that point, Eubanks was very conscious about the possibility of having a similar fate. However, he says he was told that because the family history of prostate cancer came from his mother’s side, there wasn’t a high risk of him getting a diagnosis himself.

“So I'm thinking that I'm good,” he tells PEOPLE. “I was confident that I was Superman. I was cleared. I was going to be okay and I just never thought about it.” 

In January, Eubanks’ church was hosting a health fair and he decided to get bloodwork done. A week later, his doctor called and told him to come in as soon as possible. Despite feeling healthy and having no alarming symptoms, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A follow-up prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test in April confirmed the diagnosis.

“I was shocked. I was angry,” he recalls. “I was just emotionally a wreck.”

“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 United States, according to the American Cancer Society. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime. However, Black and African American men are at a greater risk, with 1 in 6 men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Additionally, Black men are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer than White men.

While Eubanks was grappling with his diagnosis, he also learned that his cancer could’ve been caught earlier.

As someone living with HIV since the 80s, the TV personality has had routine checkups with his doctor every six months. After getting diagnosed with prostate cancer, his doctors reviewed past medical records and noticed that in 2022, he had high PSA levels that weren’t brought up.

“I was like, are you kidding me? This was back in 2022 and nobody said anything to me. He just said, ‘You're undetectable, so you are fine.’ Never said anything about my prostate. I guess they just weren’t looking at that.”

As frustrated as he was about the possibility of getting a diagnosis sooner, Eubanks admits, “I just have to laugh instead of crying about this whole journey.”

Now, to mark the beginning of Men’s Health Month, Eubanks is partnering with ZERO Prostate Cancer as their new brand ambassador to raise awareness and encourage other men — especially Black men — about the importance of getting screened.

Additionally, Eubanks will be a featured speaker at ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Virtual Education and Support Summit 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 says, noting that he knew immediately that he was going to be transparent about his diagnosis, unlike his grandfather’s approach. 

“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,” he continues. “I can't say what should have, could have, or would have been, but I just have to embrace where I am now and be grateful and try to help somebody else along the way.”

Moving forward, Eubanks is still working with his doctors on a treatment plan that will best suit him.

Witnessing a longtime friend go through a “traumatic” prostate cancer journey four years ago, the RHOA alum says he’s adamant about not having his prostate removed or suffering the way he’s seen others suffer.

“So we are exploring possibilities to see what route to go and we have not come up with that yet,” he tells PEOPLE. “I have a great team, about four different doctors: two urologists, another specialist and my family physician. So I'm comfortable and I'm forever grateful to have such a team and support. And we are going to figure it out.” 

“But I feel good,” Eubanks stresses. “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.”