Every October, pink ribbons appear on storefronts, sports uniforms, social media feeds, and community events across the country. The message surrounding breast cancer awareness is clear and easily identifiable and familiar.
Awareness has undoubtedly saved lives. It has encouraged women to schedule mammograms, learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and support loved ones facing a diagnosis.
For many Black women, awareness is only the beginning.
Despite decades of awareness campaigns, Black women continue to face higher breast cancer mortality rates than White women, are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages, and are more likely to experience barriers that delay diagnosis and treatment. These disparities remind us that awareness alone is not enough. Awareness must lead to action.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that action can begin with understanding your diagnosis, asking informed questions, and working with your healthcare team to explore the options that may be available to you.
Awareness Looks Different for Every Woman
Breast cancer is not a single disease, and every woman’s experience is unique.
For someone who has never been diagnosed, Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be a reminder to stay current on recommended screenings and pay attention to changes in their body.
For someone living with advanced breast cancer, awareness takes on a different meaning. It may involve learning more about their cancer subtype, understanding biomarker testing, discussing treatment options, or finding support from others who share similar experiences.
No matter where you are on your journey, information can be a powerful tool.
Know Your Type, Know Your Options
One of the biggest advances in breast cancer care has been the move toward more personalized treatment.
Healthcare providers now understand that breast cancer behaves differently from one person to another. That’s why your care team may perform tests to determine characteristics of your tumor, including whether it is hormone receptor (HR)-positive or HER2-negative.
For some women with advanced breast cancer, biomarker testing may also identify a PIK3CA mutation. These results help your healthcare team better understand your cancer and can inform conversations about treatment options that are tailored to your individual diagnosis.
Learning your cancer subtype doesn’t mean you need to memorize medical terminology. It simply means having the information needed to participate in decisions about your care.
Getting Real Answers Starts With Honest Conversations
Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis often means absorbing a great deal of information in a short amount of time. It’s normal to leave an appointment feeling like you didn’t fully understand everything you heard or to think of new questions once you’re back home.
Building an open, ongoing relationship with your healthcare team can help you feel more confident as you move throughout your cancer and treatment journey. Don’t hesitate to ask your provider to explain unfamiliar medical terms, review your test results, or clarify how they arrived at a treatment recommendation. If something isn’t clear the first time, it’s okay to ask for another explanation.
Many people also find it helpful to bring a trusted family member or friend to appointments, take notes during visits, or ask for printed copies of pathology reports and biomarker test results to review later. Understanding your diagnosis means making sure you have the information you need to participate in decisions about your care.
Remember that your care team is there to support you. Honest conversations about your goals, concerns, side effects, and priorities can help ensure your treatment plan reflects not only the biology of your cancer but also what matters most to you.
Representation Matters Beyond Awareness
Breast Cancer Awareness Month also offers an opportunity to think about how future treatments are developed.
Clinical trials play an essential role in evaluating potential new therapies, yet Black women have historically been underrepresented in many breast cancer studies despite experiencing significant disparities in outcomes.
When research reflects the diversity of the communities affected by breast cancer, it strengthens the evidence that guides future care.
Participating in a clinical trial is a personal decision. Every study has specific eligibility requirements, and participation is always voluntary. For some women, discussing clinical trials with their healthcare team may be an important part of exploring available treatment options.
Moving Beyond the Pink Ribbon
Pink ribbons have helped bring breast cancer into the national conversation. Today, we have an opportunity to build on that awareness by focusing on education, equity, and empowerment.
Understanding your breast cancer subtype, learning about biomarker testing, and asking informed questions can help you become an active partner in your care.
Awareness is powerful, but knowledge helps turn awareness into action.
Know Your Type. Know Your Options. Talk to Your Doctor About Clinical Trials.
If you have been diagnosed with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, talk with your healthcare team about biomarker testing, treatment options, and whether a clinical trial may be appropriate for you. Learn what questions to bring to your next appointment in Lilly’s clinical trial guide.Â
HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer
Supported by Lilly
References:
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures for African American/Black People
- NIH National Cancer Institute. Breast Cancer Treatment
- NIH National Cancer Institute. Biomarker Testing for Cancer Treatment
- American Cancer Society. Biomarker and Tumor Marker Tests
- National Cancer Institute. Cancer Clinical Trial Information for Patients and Caregivers
- CDC. Breast Cancer Awareness