The breast cancer mortality rate for African American women is 36% higher than white women

 

Breast cancer incidence rate among younger African American (under 40) is higher than white women.

 

Research shows that aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in African American women than white women.

 

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women.

 

Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts

& Figures for African American 2009-2010

 

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SISTERS NETWORK HISTORY

 

Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI) is a leading voice and only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States. Sisters Network is governed by an elected Board of Directors and assisted by an appointed medical advisory committee. Membership is 3000, which includes more than 40 affiliate survivor run chapters nationwide. The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country.

 

As a nationally recognized organization among leading medical establishments and breast cancer physicians, Sisters Network is also recognized as a critical information resource for African American women.

 

At the core of Sisters Network mission is support, outreach and education. During 2008, Sisters’ breast health outreach initiatives impacted an estimated 6.8 million families.

 

Charting new territory is not uncommon for the innovative organization. In 1999, Sisters’ broke new ground by hosting the nation’s first national Breast Cancer Conference to specifically address the impact of breast cancer among African American women. Now in its ninth year, the conference, which attracts more than 500 participants, including nationally recognized medical experts, has been held in metropolitan cities such as Houston, Atlanta, Detroit, Richmond Virginia, and now Chicago.

 

Among the organizations trademark and successful national community outreach programs are "The Gift for Life Block Walk®," "The Pink Ribbon Awareness Project," STOP THE SILENCE®: Changing the Face of Breast Health Intervention. These initiatives are implemented through Sisters’ affiliate chapters and are generously underwritten through federal funding, corporate partnerships and private contributions.

 

Sisters’ national branding campaign, "STOP THE SILENCE®," speaks directly to the nations, African American communities, long-standing history of not discussing cancer and other life-threatening health concerns. The national slogan has been used in Billboard and bumper sticker campaigns. This level of keen understanding of the African-American community mindset continues to allow the organization to effectively educate and heighten breast health awareness and survivorship in the African American community.