What We Do
Support. Intervention.Education. Change
Women Of ColorBreat Cancer Survivos’ Support Project
Women of Color has a motivated membership of breast cancer survivors, supporters and families. We are unapologetic advocates for racial and economic justice as it relates to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of breast cancer in the lives of BIPOC women. Our work is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer and all systemic obstacles to healthy life for all women at risk.
MISSION STATEMENT
Support, Intervention, Education, Change
Women Of Color Breast Cancer Survivors' Support Project (WOC) has a mission to provide emotional support and crisis intervention to women of caolor breast cancer survivors and their families; to educate individuals and communities on breast health and knowledge of early detection; to effect public policy and social change regarding breast health awareness, including culturally sensitive research.
TAX ID# 95-4455930
Women Of Color Breast Cancer Survivors' Support Project (WOC) has a mission to provide emotional support and crisis intervention to women of caolor breast cancer survivors and their families; to educate individuals and communities on breast health and knowledge of early detection; to effect public policy and social change regarding breast health awareness, including culturally sensitive research.
TAX ID# 95-4455930
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SELF-ADVOCACY
The fight for African American and other breast cancer survivors of color has led Women of Color into uncharted territory. Since, 1991, we have been bedside nurses to survivors without families. We have bargained for discounts with funeral directors. We marched streets from South Central to Sacramento. We have waited in office buildings on Wilshire Blvd. We have testified before congress on Capital Hill.
In the struggle for our lives and the lives of those yet to be diagnosed, we fought for culturally relevant health care, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, earlier diagnosis, appropriate cancer treatment, disability benefits and mental health support. We found ourselves in warrior stance against systems of racial, social and economic injustice.
In the struggle for our lives and the lives of those yet to be diagnosed, we fought for culturally relevant health care, access to fresh fruits and vegetables, earlier diagnosis, appropriate cancer treatment, disability benefits and mental health support. We found ourselves in warrior stance against systems of racial, social and economic injustice.
Upcoming Events
Our Goals
Today we are still committed to the original mission of support, intervention, education and effective change in the breast health of women of color breast cancer survivors and their families.
WOC goals are to care for one another through support groups and provide outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment;
Provide emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment and provide relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis;
Provide breast health education to individuals and the community and provide resources and information on breast health;
And We support culturally sensitive research, engage in grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels in support of relevant breast cancer legislation
WOC goals are to care for one another through support groups and provide outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment;
Provide emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment and provide relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis;
Provide breast health education to individuals and the community and provide resources and information on breast health;
And We support culturally sensitive research, engage in grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels in support of relevant breast cancer legislation
SUPPORT
WOC goals are to care for one another through support groups and provide outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment
- Care for one another through support groups
- Outreach to breast cancer survivors in treatment
INTERVENTION
WOC provide emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment and provide relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis
- Emergency intervention for women of color members in treatment
- Relief from the burden of a breast cancer diagnosis
EDUCATION
WOC provide breast health education to individuals and the community and provide resources and information on breast cancer
- Breast health education to individuals and the community
- Resources and information on breast cancer
CHANGE
WOC support culturally sensitive research, engage in grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels in support of relevant breast cancer legislation
- Support of culturally sensitive research
- Grassroots lobbying at the state and federal levels.
SERVICES
We are here to support your survivorship needs.
We offer a variety of resources, services and support to survivors, their families and their respective communities.
We offer a variety of resources, services and support to survivors, their families and their respective communities.
Our services include:
- Support groups and counseling services for survivors and family.
- Free health and wellness workshops for survivors and their families to introduce self-management tools to address co-morbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, other cancers and more.
- Free early detection/self-examination techniques training.
- Free health care resource packets and emergency support to member survivor families in crisis.
- Rider relief and transportation support for survivors in treatment or health maintenance.
- Crisis intervention for survivors in treatment, and emergency financial relief from a cancer diagnosis (on a case-by-case evaluation) .
- Access and navigation assistance for breast cancer survivors to guide them through the full treatment process by a fully trained advocate who has been through the process herself.
- WOC will assist survivors in the creation of a long-term Self-Care plan that coordinates the follow-up medical care received from all doctors and caregivers.
As breast cancer advocates, WOC serves on the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Board of Directors and continues to effect major change annually to the NBCC Advocacy Training Conference and “Lobby Day” on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C
SOME HEALTH CONDITION STATISTICS
Today, we are still committed to their vision as we continue the original mission of support, intervention,
education and effective change in breast health for women of color breast cancer survivors and their
families.
Disease Non-Hispanic Black Non-Hispanic White Obesity 48.6% 40.2%% Hypertension 57.1% 43.7% Heart Disease 22.6% 18% Breast Cancer 27.6% 19.7% Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease) 53% 36% Diabetes 38.8% 19.1%
Some Breast Cancer Causes
- Family History
- BRCA1/BRCA2 High Risk Genes
- Ionizing Radiation
- Tobacco Smoke
- Alcohol Consumption
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Obesity/ Being Overweight
- Sedentary/Lack of Exercise
- Reproductive History
- Sleep Disruption (ie shift work with circadian disruption)
SOME BREAST CANCER TREATMENTS
Today, we are still committed to their vision as we continue the original mission of support, intervention,
education and effective change in breast health for women of color breast cancer survivors and their
families.
Local
Surgery for Breast Cancer
- Lumpectomy
- Mastectomy
Radiation for Breast Cancer
Surgery for Breast Cancer
- External beam radiation: This type of radiation comes from a machine outside the body.
- Internal radiation (brachytherapy): For this treatment, a radioactive source is put inside the body for a short time.
Systemic
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
- After surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy):
- Before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy)
Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer
Most often, combinations of 2 or 3 of these chemotherapy drugs are used.
- Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and epirubicin (Ellence)
- Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere)
- 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
- Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- Carboplatin (Paraplatin)
For advanced breast cancer:
Chemo drugs that areuseful in treating women with breast cancer that has spread include (metastatic):
- Taxanes, such as paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and albumin-bound paclitaxel (Abraxane)
- Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and Epirubicin)
- Platinum agents (cisplatin, carboplatin)
- Vinorelbine (Navelbine)
- Capecitabine (Xeloda)
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar)
- Ixabepilone (Ixempra) Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel or Abraxane)
- Eribulin (Halaven)
Although drug combinations are
- Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
- Targeted therapy for Breast Cancer
- Treatment of Breast Cancer by Stage
- Treating Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Rapid advancements in diagnoses and treatments are taking place now through vigorous new and continuing research and clinical trials.
It’s important to volunteer for Clinical Trials to ensure proper representation of all populations. You receive the highest quality care and potential to receive new and/or improved treatments.
Mental Health
Dealing with Emotions During Cancer Treatment
Most people face some degree of depression, anxiety, fear or distress when cancer becomes part of their lives. Learn what feelings and behaviors you may expect from a loved one who has cancer.
Distress in People with Cancer
Anxiety, Fear, and overall Emotional Distress