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East Gainesville churches are teaming with the UF Health Cancer Center to address breast cancer prevention and treatment.
Event held as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The duo, which is comprised of the cancer center’s Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative (CDRC), will host the Power Over Breast Cancer Gathering from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 21 at Springhill Baptist Church at 120 SE Williston Road. Registration will begin in person at 8:30 a.m. and a light breakfast will be served. Early registration before the day of the event is encouraged and can be done at https://bit.ly/BreastCancerGNV or via phone at 352-359-5184.
There will be raffle drawings for 10 $50 gift certificates and a free boxed lunch after the gathering.
Power Over Breast Cancer Gathering held to educate public
“The whole idea is to share and learn from each other,” said Carolyn Tucker, Ph.D., CDRC director. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in all women.”
Breast cancer mortality rate 40% higher for Black women
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Black and Hispanic women, Tucker said.
Black women have a 4% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than White women, but a 40% higher breast cancer death rate, according to the cancer center.
“It’s really important that we involve women of all races and ethnicities,” Tucker said. “We must also have a major campaign to get Black women there because of the higher death rates.”
Objectives of Power Over Breast Cancer Gathering
The main objectives for the gathering are:
- Learning ways family members can support their loved cancer survivor
- Identifying the most effective treatments for breast cancer and ways to prevent late-stage diagnosis
- Identifying ways to support family members of women with breast cancer
- Provide the opportunity to learn about and sign up to participate in cancer prevention and intervention research
- Sharing ways to cope with the emotional, physical and other changes that come with breast cancer
- Answering questions about breast cancer
Advocates educate community about breast cancer
Gwendolyn Saffo is one of the cancer research and intervention advocates for the gathering, and her role is to reach out to the community and serve as the facilitator and recruiter for participation.
“This is an excellent opportunity for people in the community to discover ways to help each other — for those who were diagnosed with breast cancer and the caregiver,” Saffo said. “Advocacy is very important to me. I hope the word gets out and we can help people of color understand what resources are out there for them.”
Churches involved with spreading the word
Churches in east Gainesville involved in the CDRC are Springhill, DaySpring and Faith Baptist churches, Greater Bethel AME Church, Showers of Blessings Harvest Center, Passage Family Church, Upper Room and Williams Temple Churches of God in Christ.
“We hope people leave with a greater motivation to get screened,” Tucker said. “We want them to leave knowing how to support each other. What excites me is learning how we can ultimately have a better quality of life and reduce breast cancer disparities with Black women.”
Pastor looking forward to gathering
Adrian Taylor, pastor of Springhill, said he is looking forward to the gathering.
“It’s an opportunity for us to come together to share a relevant topic that touches us all,” Taylor said. “Faith-based organizations and the UF Health Cancer Center’s Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative are providing a space to share their hearts in-person and connect with people who were diagnosed with the disease.”
Presentations to focus on treatment, prevention and research
There will be presentations about new treatment options for breast cancer patients, prevention strategies for breast cancer and how to participate in research studies.
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“We want them to know that they are not alone,” Taylor said. “Many people go through this silently, and we want them to feel the love of the community and know about the resources from the top hospital in our region.”
Breakout sessions will focus on diagnosed women, family and friends and husbands
There will be three break-out sessions for attendees: one group will be with women diagnosed with breast cancer and women who are at risk for breast cancer, the second group will be family members and friends of women with breast cancer and the third group will be husbands and other men living with women with breast cancer.
Gathering to end with panel discussion
Afterwards, there will be a panel discussion of speakers who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and who have helped women cope through the diagnosis.
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