Forum 2005 Program

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. Survival rates differ among ethnic groups. It is estimated in California alone that there will be 21,860 new cases of breast cancer in 2004. It is currently estimated that 56 % of persons diagnosed with cancer will survive their disease for at least five years after diagnosis.

Women of color are diagnosed at later stages of breast and cervical cancer. Deaths due to both breast and cervical cancer are higher among women of color than among white women. Women of color face many barriers in detecting and surviving cancer include that of language and cultural factors, poverty, and the lack of access to quality health care.

One of the big transition points for people with cancer is the end of treatment and returning to their “normal” lives. While there is a growing body of literature on the physical, psychological and social difficulties of survivors, few of the studies focus on survivors of breast cancer that are from different ethnic groups. Even less is known about the effects of the diagnosis and its treatment on women from diverse groups.

The 2005 Research/Practice Forum, co-sponsored by the SFSU Public Research Institute, was entitled ”Women of color: Surviving breast and cervical cancer.” Participants included women survivors, SFSU faculty, community service providers, and students.

We invited a list of exciting speakers that included survivors, service providers and researchers. We presented the latest research findings on such issues as culturally competent care, issues of social support, and the role of spirituality. Survivors presented about their own experiences on these topics, and through round table discussions we discussed implications for more effective programs, community action and policy.

We feel we accomplished the four goals we set for ourselves for this 1-day event:

1. Inform and discuss the latest research findings on the health disparities that exist for women of color breast and cervical cancer survivors;
2. Identify successful outreach, education and other supportive programs for women of color breast and cervical cancer survivors;
3. Encourage action oriented research and programs among SFSU faculty and community providers that address the health disparities that exist for women of color breast and cervical cancer survivors
4. Listen to the voices, subjective experiences, of the women who are surviving with breast or cervical cancer.

Mural: ‘Who Holds the Mirror?’