S7 Ep9: Understanding cancer in Black communities (Tamara)

In this episode of the Breast Cancer Now podcast, we speak to Tamara about her diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer, cancer in Black communities, and the impact of discovering she carries the BRCA2 gene mutation. Tamara opens up about the emotional weight of having to explain her cancer and her behaviour to the people around her. She also explores the stigma and mistrust that surrounds cancer in Black communities, and why culturally sensitive education is the key to improving outcomes. The conversation explores the feeling of dismissal Black women face in healthcare settings, and the incredible support Tamara experienced when she found Black Women Rising. Find support at Breast Cancer Now More info about Younger Women Together courses Find support at Black Women Rising Find support at UK Charity for Triple Negative Breast Cancer From Me To You - Supporting Black Cancer Communities. You can also watch this episode on YouTube. Key Topics: 2:50 Life before diagnosis 5:36 Mara's breast cancer diagnosis 11:08 Conversations about the BRCA gene mutation 13:52 Understanding triple negative breast cancer 20:37 Black women experiencing dismissal in healthcare 22:48 What needs to be done to help improve healthcare for Black women? 24:13 How Mara's diagnosis was received by her family and her community 25:32 Mental health support at the point of cancer diagnosis 28:58 Christian beliefs and breast cancer 32:02 Difficulty talking with other people about your cancer diagnosis 39:46 The power of the breast cancer community 41:20 Body image after surgery for breast cancer 44:01 Improving education in black Caribbean and black African communities 51:18 Mara's work with Black Women Rising