Together, We Fight for Every Black Woman.
Black women experience higher rates of death from breast cancer due to a combination of factors, including:
This is Unacceptable.
Komen’s response: Stand for H.E.R. — a Health Equity Revolution, a bold program that breaks down barriers to decrease poor breast cancer outcomes for Black people — now and in the future.
Support starts with one phone call to the Komen Patient Care Center or email helpline@komen.org.
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET
Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET. Se habla español.
Survivors Stories
“Early detection saved my life, and it could save yours, too.”
– Shanise
Genetic TESTING
“Cancer is not a death sentence… I have stage 4 breast cancer, but I’m still here, fighting every step of the way.”
– Tennille
early detection and perseverance
“When you know your family history, you are armed with the knowledge you need to appropriately monitor your breast health.”
– Dr. Vondalyn
On family health history
Have you faced inequities? We want to hear about it.
Black women are about 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women.
Black women have a lower 5-year relative breast cancer survival rate compared to white women.
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, at later stages and with more aggressive types of breast cancer than white women.
Breast Health Education and Resources
Racism and Bias – The Black Health Care Experience
This first-of-its-kind interactive course reviews the historical context of racism and bias in health care for Black patients and includes an interactive board game that allows you to visualize ways to address barriers in underserved populations.
Educational Articles
“Understanding Your Risk as a Black Woman” and “Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines for Black Women.”
Support Services
The Komen Patient Care Center is your trusted, go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, services and resources. Our navigators offer free, personalized navigation services to patients, caregivers, and family members.
Health Equity and Advocacy
Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America
Susan G. Komen has released landscape analyses, Closing the Breast Cancer Gap: A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America, examining 10 metropolitan areas to understand the unique drivers of disparities in each community. The reports identified several trends that exist to varying degrees in each area.
In response to the report’s findings, Komen is launching “Stand for H.E.R.- a Health Equity Revolution,” a focused initiative to decrease breast cancer disparities in the Black community by 25% beginning in the U.S. metropolitan areas where inequities are greatest. Stand for H.E.R., and the analyses on which it is based, are made possible thanks to the funding of Robert Smith and the Fund II Foundation.
Read a summary of Closing the Breast Cancer Gap:
A Roadmap to Save the Lives of Black Women in America.
This report details the underlying causes of breast cancer inequities across the breast cancer continuum among Black women in the 10 metropolitan areas with the worst breast cancer inequities.
Download the Full Landscape Analysis Reports
Complete the form below to download the full report.
Komen’s Approach to Achieving Health Equity in the Black Community
Patient Navigation
Increase access to culturally competent services in the Black community.
Empower
Provide Black women with knowledge: screening guidelines, family history, and assistance in knowing what’s normal for them and how to advocate for themselves.
Genetic Counseling and Testing
Increase access to genetic counseling and testing services and culturally competent resources in the Black community.
Financial Assistance
Ease the financial burden of treatment for Black breast cancer patients.
Komen’s Initiatives Overview
1. Informational and Educational Content on the Komen Website
2. Outreach and Educational Programs
3. Patient Support that provides connections to timely, high-quality care through the Komen Patient Care Center
4. Workforce development that improves the diversity and cultural sensitivity of health care workers and researchers
5. Public policy that ignites policy change by mobilizing policymakers and grassroots advocates
6. Research that is inclusive to drive innovation and benefit all
Additional Black Breast Health Resources
Stand For H.E.R. – A Health Equity Revolution Breast Cancer Impact Report 2023
When We Tri(al): A movement to encourage Black women’s participation in clinical trials
Articles on recent findings related to breast cancer in the Black community
Research Updates
Stay Connected
Sign up to receive periodic updates about Komen’s breast health equity work.
Health Equity for All
Everyone is at risk of breast cancer, but some of us are at higher risk than others. That’s why Komen is working to eliminate barriers to care for individuals and communities experiencing breast health inequities now and in the future.
Need Help?
Our Komen Patient Care Center offers free support and information about breast health, breast cancer, local and national resources and clinical trials from trained oncology social workers and specialists.
1-877-465-6636
Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET
Se habla español.
Help discover cures to breast cancer, faster.
Your breast cancer information is as unique as you are. When combined with thousands of other ShareForCures members, you provide scientists with a more diverse set of data to make new discoveries, faster.
1-877 GO KOMEN
helpline@komen.org
Thank you to our committed partners
We invite you to join our noteworthy partners who are making changes in health inequity a priority.
