October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor those who have fought the disease and to celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors.
While the pink ribbon symbolizes hope and unity, it also highlights the glaring inequities that affect Black women in their battle against breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer compared to their white counterparts. Similarly, the mortality rate for Black women under 50 is double that of white women under the same age bracket, Still, there are a number of Black women who have defied the odds and emerged triumphant in their battle against breast cancer. Here are four famous Black women who have survived breast cancer:
Robin Roberts
Back in 2007, “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. After discovering her lump during a self-exam, Roberts was open about her fight against breast cancer. Throughout her battle, viewers watched the anchor shave her head and share the ups and downs of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery.
“I had that moment of: Wow, I can’t believe I’m going through this. Why is this happening to me?” she told NPR. “And my mother … sweetly and gently — said to me, ‘Honey, everybody’s got something.’ And it just really stuck with me.”
Wanda Sykes
For actress and comedian Wanda Sykes, her breast cancer diagnosis came when she got a breast reduction. Despite both her pre-surgery mammogram and biopsy coming back negative, Sykes learned that she had a noninvasive form of breast cancer, known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Ultimately, the comedian decided to undergo a double mastectomy to remove any risks of the cancer progressing or coming back. While the surgery had an impact on her self-esteem, she eventually grew to embrace her new look.
“My…
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