Black Women and Breast Cancer: Awareness, Genetic Testing & Counseling

“We certainly as Black women have to advocate for ourselves. Black women get breast cancer less, but we die more,” shares Dr. Kellie Kendred Goss, “breast cancer previvor” and advocate for genetic counseling and testing. Today, she joins host Calvin to spread awareness about Black women and breast cancer risks.

 

Dr. Kellie’s mother is a two time breast cancer survivor. Knowing this, her doctor recommended genetic testing. She and her sister underwent genetic testing at the same time, and her sister actually ended up being diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after. Dr. Kellie’s own results showed a 75% chance of breast cancer and an 80% chance of ovarian cancer. She decided to pursue a preventative full mastectomy and hysterectomy. Following her surgeries, she leaned on the support and sisterhood of the breast cancer community, because they better understand her experience. 

 

Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with more advanced stages of breast cancer than white women. So even though they tend to get diagnosed less, they have higher risks of dying from the disease. Due to historical distrust of the medical community, it is also harder to get Black women involved in the clinical trials and studies being done. Knowing the risks is half the battle and genetic counseling can save lives. 

 

Quotes

• "Black women are more likely to develop more aggressive, more advanced-stages of breast cancer" (Dr. Kellie) 

• “That was my life. I was just waiting for breast cancer to find me, almost like a rite of passage.” (5:45-5:53 | Dr. Kellie) 

• “We certainly as Black women have to advocate for ourselves. Black women get breast cancer less, but we die more.” (7:18-7:26 | Dr. Kellie) 

• “Many times when Black women find out that they actually have breast cancer, it's not as treatable.” (8:02-8:10 | Dr. Kellie)

• “There's a gap between how Black people view medical professionals and where we need to go.” (22:11-22:18 | Dr. Kellie)

 

Links

Connect with Dr. Kellie Kendred Goss

Kellie's Website: https://www.browngirlandbrcaplus.com/

Kellie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellie-goss-42a95088

Breast Cancer Awareness Resources

• Breast Cancer Statistics
• Basic Information About Breast Cancer
• Disparities in Cancer Screening For Early Detection 
• Health Equity Resources

 

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