Nancy Lieberman Advocates for Prostate Cancer Awareness

Nancy Lieberman reflects on the loss of her friend, former teammate Micheal Ray Richardson, who passed away after being diagnosed with prostate cancer. In 1986, Lieberman broke barriers by becoming the first woman to play in a men’s professional basketball league with the Springfield Fame in the United States Basketball League (USBL).

Lieberman recalled her speech at Richardson’s funeral, highlighting the challenges he faced. “He chose not to share his diagnosis with his wife, Kim, or his family,” she said. This secrecy is something she aims to change.

Lieberman is now actively involved with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and collaborates with Ice Cube and the BIG3 to spread awareness. She emphasizes a straightforward message: ask for a PSA test. “Make sure to tell your doctor to ‘Check the box,'” Lieberman advises, referring to the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test.

The “Check the Box” campaign urges men to request this simple blood test to learn their PSA score, which is a critical step in early detection of prostate cancer.

Lieberman calls on women to motivate the men in their lives to seek medical advice. “Encourage men to visit the doctor without fear. Stand by them,” she said.

Jackson Thompson, the sports reporter for Fox News Digital, focuses on significant political and cultural issues within sports. His work has been recognized in various prominent media outlets and cited in federal actions concerning Title IX enforcement.