By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of death in Black women out of all cancers in the United States. Though there are advancements in treatments, Black women continue to have an approximately 40 percent higher death rate from breast cancer than their White counterparts, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Grassroots organizations are helping address this disparity by raising awareness around early detection and providing access to free and low-cost screenings.
“By offering no-cost or low-cost mammograms at familiar venues, these programs remove barriers like transportation and cost, making it easier for uninsured women to get screened,” said Pamela Burnett, founder of the Beautiful Gate Cancer Support and Resource Center and Mammograms After Sunday Service (MASS). “Volunteers and community leaders, often cancer survivors themselves, promote participation and reduce stigma through relatable advocacy.”
Burnett created the MASS Breast Health Education and 3D Mammography Screening Program due to her own journey with breast cancer at age 40. The MASS Program, established in 2016, was a direct response to disparities in access to annual health screenings among both insured and underinsured women.
She also founded the Beautiful Gate Cancer Support and Resource Center in 2006 to address limited cancer resources and challenge stigmas around cancer and mental health in the community.
“Before my diagnosis, topics like breast cancer and mammograms were rarely discussed in my family or community due to cultural misconceptions and stigma,” Burnett said. “This silence, and even misunderstanding from those close to me, made it hard to seek support during my journey. My experience highlighted the urgent need for education, open dialogue and resources for women of color, who often face disparities in healthcare and support.”
Cultural stigma, limited health conversations and misunderstandings about breast cancer can deter screenings and delay diagnosis, said Burnett. Distrust of healthcare or a shortage of culturally competent providers also affects both insured and uninsured patients, leading to gaps in detection and treatment.
“By partnering with organizations such as the Florida Department of Health and expanding outreach to places of worship and community nonprofits, the MASS Program has been able to reach thousands of women, provide vital breast health education, facilitate mammogram referrals and work to reduce late-stage cancer diagnoses,” said Burnett.
MASS has partnerships with churches, community centers and sororities, which Burnett said are key to improving access to health screenings in underserved areas and ensuring culturally sensitive education and screenings where women feel comfortable.
Through their partnerships they provide no-cost or low-cost clinical breast exams, mammograms, Pap tests and follow-up care to eligible women. MASS makes sure outreach is led by volunteers who are survivors or have been personally affected by cancer.
Looking to the future, Burnett said the Beautiful Gate Cancer Support and Resource Center is working to expand outside of Florida, pursuing funding, organizing workshops, joining health fairs and developing coalitions with cancer support.
The Sisters Network is another grassroots organization helping connect Black women with knowledge about breast cancer.
“We’ve had impactful programs from our breast cancer systems program, which provides financial assistance to any survivor who needs their utilities, rent or mortgage paid,” said Caleen Allen, executive vice president of Sisters Network. “We offer paid for mammograms for women who are uninsured or insured.”
Though Sisters Network is a national movement, it has partners in local communities as well.
“We have boots on the ground and we’re proud that we not only can help women across the country nationally, but we’re in communities where we live and work every day,” said Allen. “We’re constantly educating people about the process and why it’s important. We’re gonna make sure that all barriers are addressed until every woman has access to the care.”
Building on 30-plus years of community work, Allen shared details about their recent initiative aimed at educating and engaging young women.
“One initiative that we launched last year in 2024, we continued into this year, it’s called ‘Take Care of You Sis: Brunch and Learn,’” said Allen, describing it as a “tour of cities.”
“In 2024, we went to Houston, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. This year we’re going to Dallas, Nashville, Tenn., Chicago, Richmond, Va. and Charlotte, N.C.”
Allen said the program aims to expand to cities nationwide, reaching 45 to 50 young women under 40 who have not been diagnosed with breast cancer. The goal is for participants to leave with basic knowledge about breast cancer and the ability to recognize symptoms that may necessitate a check-up.
“We find a medical expert in their community–preferably a Black female medical expert–to come in and have a conversation with them about breast health,” said Allen. “We picked brunch because we know that young women under 40 love to brunch. We try to make it educational, but also fun.”
Allen said she’s excited about the future of this initiative, which she said has been well received and a great way to penetrate the young community.