Black Lives Matter, Black Health Matters
on June 05, 2020
Our mission at Handful has always been to support women to live their lives to the fullest. A big part of that mission has been our focus on supporting the 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. As a stark and unwavering light continues to beam down on the issue of racial inequality and racial injustice by brave protesters and black leaders, we have paused over the last few days in self-examination. And as is the case in every corner of our nation, our eyes are being opened to the fact that we have a lot of work to do in addressing institutionalized racism in our industry, our cause, and our own company.
While we have been working to raise awareness of the terrible prevalence of breast cancer, we have not done enough to highlight that this disease disproportionately affects black women. Some stats from our partner, Young Survival Coalition:
Health Disparities in Young African Americans
It is not enough…but it is our starting place.
While we have been working to raise awareness of the terrible prevalence of breast cancer, we have not done enough to highlight that this disease disproportionately affects black women. Some stats from our partner, Young Survival Coalition:
Health Disparities in Young African Americans
- African American women under age 35 have rates of breast cancer two times higher than caucasian women under age 35.
- African Americans under age 35 die from breast cancer three times as often as caucasian women of the same age.
- Researchers believe that access to healthcare and the quality of healthcare available may explain these disparities. But scientists continue to investigate.
- Research also shows that young African Americans are more likely to get aggressive forms of breast cancer than anyone else.
It is not enough…but it is our starting place.