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Battling Breast Cancer: 6 Resources For Black Women

Reports also show that Black women under age 40 have higher rates of breast cancer compared to white women.

With the month of October dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, millions of advocates and survivors band together each year to spread awareness and offer support. Although breast cancer does not discriminate, the rising rates among Black women are more likely than any other ethnic group to die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. 

Reports also show that Black women under age 40 have higher rates of breast cancer compared to white women. And Black women under age 35 are diagnosed with breast cancer at a rate two times higher than white women and die from breast cancer three times as often as white women.

RELATED: 2019 BET HER Fights: Breast Cancer

Climbing death rates among Black women stem from lack of access to health care or health insurance, being detected at a far more advanced stage, not getting the same quality treatment as white women, and more. To help bridge the gap on awareness, here are six resources for Black Women battling breast cancer.

  1. AFRICAN AMERICAN BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE

    Committed to spreading awareness and providing extensive support to Black women and their families who have been affected by breast cancer, the African American Breast Cancer Alliance is founded by survivor Reona Berry and a team of devoted women. The Alliance provides both social and emotional support to patients and survivors with donations to the organization going directly to rehabilitation programs, health fairs, support groups and more.

  2. SISTERS by CHOICE (SBC)

    Founded in 1989 by Dr. Rogsbert F. Phillips-Reed, a Black renowned Atlanta-based breast surgeon, Sisters By Choice aims to eliminate any access barriers and introduce quality care to those who might have difficulty receiving it. On the quest to increase the survival rate of breast cancer, SBC offers free mammograms, breast exams and biopsies, and sonograms to uninsured, underserved, and homeless women and men in Georgia. 

    The organization also offers a full-service mobile clinic that provides “remote radiology support, comprehensive diagnostic testing, i.e., ultrasound, needle biopsy, stereotactic biopsy, minor surgery, breast MRI, patient navigation and prevention education, treatment referral and access to clinical trials,” according to the site.

  3. CARRIE’S TOUCH

    In an effort to break the silence on the impacts that breast cancer has on the Black community, Carrie’s Touch has a vision to “improve the quality of life for African Americans by empowering them to make informed choices about their breast cancer treatment.” Carrie’s Touch offers programs like Sistagirls-REAL TALK that offer intimate and informative educational discussions about breast health awareness and PROJECT SOAR, which gives African American women the opportunity to connect with their unique experiences with breast cancer.

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  5. SMITH CENTER FOR HEALING AND THE ARTS

    The Smith Center has operated a special breast cancer awareness program for low-income Black women in Washington, D.C. since it was first founded in 1996. The Patient-Provider Education Project connects a selection of health providers to African-American breast cancer survivors to broaden a variety of healing avenues.

  6. SISTERS NETWORK INC.,

    Sisters Network Inc., Sister House is the nation’s first temporary home for African-American breast cancer survivors to meet, bond and receive supportive services while going to treatment at the Texas Medical Center. Founded by breast cancer survivor Karen E. Jackson, Sister Network’s mission is to help bring awareness to the impact that breast cancer has on the African-American community and highlight specialized awareness to help with early detection. 

    To help with their mission, programs under Sisters Network Inc., include Teens 4 Pink (T4P) which educates girls ages 12-16 about the importance of breath health in the hopes that they can become advocates for women in their families. The Young Sisters Initiative: A Guide to A Better You, is another Sisters Network program that recruits young breast cancer survivors (diagnosed at age 45 or younger) with the proper guidance and tools for life in remission and beyond.

  7. FOR THE BREAST OF US

    In the hopes to uplift all women of color affected by breast cancer, For The Breast Of Us uses its platform to share stories meant to connect, educate and inspire. Offering wellness webinars and other virtual hangouts, For The Breast Of Us also offers an opportunity for women of color in the breast cancer community to upload their journey’s as a part of the “Breast Cancer Baddie Directory.”

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