Breaking News Archive

Vaccines are Good for America: Why all the confusion?

The confusion surrounding immunization and vaccines constitutes a national health crisis for the African American community. The purpose of this report is to seek clarification, financial resources, and technical support from HHS, NIH, the CDC, and the FDA due to the evolution of the public health environment. Download PDF

NBCI and ACHDC Release Major Report to the HHS and Congress Concerning Vaccine Confusion

The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities comprising 27.7 million members, has released a 43-page report on the confusion surrounding vaccines and their effects on vulnerable populations. The report, "Vaccines Are Good for America", focuses on the need for vaccines and the negative consequences of the confusion for African Americans, Latinos, young children, immunocompromised adults, and the poor. Read More

Triple Negative Breast Cancer: What Black Women Need To Know

Anyone can get triple-negative breast cancer, however, African-American women are more likely to develop breast cancer at a younger age (under 50) and often have a more aggressive form of the disease called triple-negative breast cancer. Read More

6 Tips For Black Women Coping With a Triple Negative Diagnosis

It’s estimated that up to 20 percent of people who are diagnosed with breast cancer have a specific type - triple-negative breast cancer. Read More

Your Risk for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Depends on Where You're From

Breast cancer risk is not equal across all Black women, and birthplace appears to play a meaningful role... Read More

Breast Cancer Disparities Among Black Women

As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so I wanted to focus on Black women and breast cancer. By the end of this, I want to encourage you to feel those tatas and encourage someone else you know to do the same. Read More

This Clinical Trial Is Testing a Breast Cancer Vaccine

Anixa Biosciences, a biotech company dedicated to fighting cancer, recently announced positive results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of their breast cancer vaccine. This vaccine holds particular promise for Black women, who are disproportionately affected by breast cancer. Read More

Beyond Fear: How I Became a Detective for My Own Breast Cancer Treatment

My journey with cancer has been a long and difficult one, but it ultimately led me to my calling as an advocate for Black people in clinical trials. It all started back in 2015 when I was first diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 breast cancer. At the time, I made a lot of treatment decisions based purely on emotion rather than being fully informed and understanding the science behind the options. I had a mastectomy, thinking it would lessen my chances of recurrence, but in reality, that was an emotionally-driven choice without a strong scientific basis for my particular case.

Two years later, in 2017, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. This time, I vowed that I would not make rash emotional decisions. Read More

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

To understand triple-negative breast cancer, a person needs to know more about the three major types of breast cancer. Read More

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer is the most advanced stage of breast cancer. Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in the breast start to divide uncontrollably. A tumor is a mass or collection of these abnormal cells. Read More

Team SAMBAI, TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Named As Recipient of Prestigious Cancer Grand Challenges Award

Team SAMBAI, led by Melissa B. Davis, PhD, of Morehouse School of Medicine, and comprised of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, and collaborators from 15 institutions globally will receive up to $25M from Cancer Grand Challenges over five years to take on the challenge of cancer inequities. Read More

Breast Cancer: A Year-Round Survival Guide

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, as well as among Black women. Although breast cancer is the most common cancer, it remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women, behind cancer of the lungs. Read More

Can I Get Breast Cancer At 20?

If you are under the age of 40, when it is suggested that women begin getting screening mammograms, you may believe you are too young to have breast cancer—this is not the case. Read More

Men And Breast Cancer, Yes It’s A Thing

One of the biggest types of stigmas in the world is breast cancer. You’re probably wondering how breast cancer can be stigmatized if there are so many organizations, movements, and even dedicated colors and symbols for breast cancer right? Since breast cancer affects one specific gender the most, of course, it can’t be stigmatized for them, but what about the other gender? Read More

Got Dense Breasts? Here’s What the FDA’s New Rule Means for You!

In March 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) passed a critical mandate regarding breast density. Under this new rule, mammography centers across the United States must notify women about their breast density after undergoing a mammogram. Read More

Breast Cancer Prevention Studies

Breast cancer prevention studies are clinical trials (research studies conducted with people) that explore ways of reducing the risk, or chance, of developing breast cancer. Prevention studies usually involve women who have not had breast cancer, but are at high risk of developing the disease. Read More

Surgery Could Boost Survival for Women With Advanced Breast Cancers

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Black women. It is also the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Black women. However, this new breast cancer surgery could increase the chances of survival in women with advanced breast cancer. Read More

Understanding Breast Cancer Clinical Trials for Black Women

Breast cancers are split into two main categories: invasive and noninvasive. When breast cancer is invasive, it can be aggressive—meaning that it can grow and spread more quickly and have a poorer prognosis. Read More

Considering Genetic Testing? Here’s What You Should Know

You may have heard that some genes put women at extra risk for breast cancer. If your mother, grandmother, aunt, or sister has had the disease, you may very well wonder if a breast cancer gene runs in your family. The first thing you should know is that only a small minority of breast cancers -- about 5 to 10 percent -- can be traced to specific mutations, and even having family members with breast cancer doesn't mean a breast cancer gene runs in your family. Read More

2 Myths & 1 Fact: The Misconceptions About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of those illnesses that has many stages to it. Not only does it have many stages, but it also has many misconceptions about it and how it works. If you are living with breast cancer, it’s easy to assume the worst-case scenario because of how frightening this sickness can be. Read More

Why Are Some Women Opting For Total Mastectomy As Breast Cancer Prevention?

If you watch the hit TV show on Bravo, Married to Medicine, you should be all too familiar with the newest cast member to the show, Dr. Contessa Metcalfe. In a recent episode, the black occupational and preventive medicine doctor openly shared her journey to preventing breast cancer as her mother passed away from the disease and her father is currently battling prostate cancer. Read More

Black Women Are Missing Out on Life-Saving Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) disproportionately affects Black women in the U.S., contributing to higher breast cancer mortality rates in this population. A recent study published in the JAMA Network Open has revealed significant racial disparities in the administration of immunotherapy, a treatment that improves outcomes in early-stage and metastatic TNBC. Read More

Ananda Lewis chose natural cancer care over conventional treatment. Many others do too -- and it's risky

Alternative therapies for cancer care can have dire consequences, experts say. Read More