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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the second Sunday, it was Pink Sunday at Community Shorter AME Church in Denver. Tracey Drayton, who leads the church's breast cancer ministry, spoke to the congregation. It is about 30 percent higher than white women.
"Why are women, black women dying more than white women?" said Drayton.
Susan G. Komen is a breast cancer organization that provides funding for research and community care to screening, diagnosis and treatment for women and men. The organization has found that a younger age, a later stage of the disease and a more aggressive form of cancer.
Black woman may face other barriers like lack of insurance, money for treatment
Jill Fricker, CEO of Komen Colorado, said people should also consider the systematic issues surrounding health disparities.
"I think black women do not always feel comfortable going to a doctor's office," she said. "I think there's still some racism that's black and white as they navigate the system."
To help black women with cancer, Komen Colorado is an African American Advisory Council in 2012. The Council advises, organizes and implements outreach in the African American community. It also provides services like doctor referrals, mammograms and financial assistance.
There are 14 women on the board including Tracey Drayton and Mabel Peters.
"Early detection is the best detection," said Peters.
The African American Advisory Council also facilitates events throughout the year including Pink Sunday. The Shorter Community AME Church.
Diane Simpson is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She attended Shorter's Pink Sunday service. Simpson was diagnosed with the first time in 1992 when she was 39-years-old and in the process of adopting her daughter.
"I was so devastated," said Simpson "Being told I would lose my hair because of chemotherapy and so I am most of my support cam from my oncologist."
In the early 2000s Simpson and other six survivors of the breast cancer ministry at Shorter. The purpose of this study is to be more comprehensive and easier.
"I believe we were so filled with those early years, and they were able to be diagnosed," said Simpson.
When the breast cancer returned in 2015, the breast ministry was there for her. It provided the first time around.
"Many people came to me and helped me out of this very stressful time," said Simpson. "I'm so grateful to have survived twice."
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