Breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen recently announced the launch of their new program that’s aimed at helping Black women diagnosed with the disease deal with health inequities.
Named “Stand for Health Equity Revolution,” or more simply “Stand for H.E.R.,” the program takes action against medical barriers by making the process of getting treatment easier for Black women.
Throughout their treatment, the organization helps the women handle their diagnoses by providing patient navigators. These patient navigators give information about the role of genetics in breast cancer, the screening process and how to fight against medical racism to empower the patients. To keep track of the patients, the patient navigators schedule their appointments and make home visits.
Komen’s new program is also helping take the stress off of patients when it comes to money and paying for treatment. “Stand for H.E.R” is giving women a safe space to get services such as test screening and genetic counseling, regardless of their insurance plans.
In addition to providing medical help, the organization is working on getting better insurance plans and better medical conditions in general for Black people through laws. As of right now, they’re advocating to get a law passed that allows for the money made from selling breast cancer products invested in Black communities in cities like Illinois.
“To advance health equity in breast cancer care, Komen believes that everyone should have a just opportunity to be as healthy as possible despite their cultural or demographic background,” said a spokesperson on the Komen website. “That is why Komen is committed to eliminating barriers to care for individuals and communities experiencing breast health inequities now and in the future.”
Black women are struggling with the fatal effects of breast cancer in greater numbers than any other demographic. According to a recent report by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black women in the U.S. are passing away from the disease at rates that are 41% higher than those of white women. Young Black women, who are often dealing with the most aggressive cancers, are passing away at double the rates of young white women.
The health disparities that are pushing forward these rates include lack of health care and, as a result, the inability to visit facilities for treatment. Black women are also forced to deal with medical racism. In a 2019 study conducted by the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, Black women were found to have a longer wait time for treatment, especially if they had a low income, no insurance or Medicaid and were in the later stages.
“Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible,” said the Senior Director for the Stand for H.E.R. program, Kim Johnson, in a press release. “Achieving health equity in breast cancer is going to take all of us working together to move beyond the status quo, build trust and overcome generations of systemic racism and implicit bias that prevent Black women from getting the care they need to survive.”
