Ovarian Cancer + People of Color
Ovarian Cancer outcomes are worse for People of Color, and HERS, LLC is doing something about it.
The Healthcare system presents two major challenges for the People of Color community.
On the community side many people feel that the healthcare system is biased and there is deep seated mistrust. Conversations are not happening, yet HERS, LLC provides a starting point for community members of Western North Carolina. Through our authentic listening process within the community HERS, LLC helps move the conversation forward and engages the community in the healthcare process. Our goal is to facilitate change.
On the provider side, the medical establishment is working within an inherently biased, unequal system. While trying to serve the community they may not have the tools to communicate with patients in a way that make it easy for people to understand and to take an active role in the process.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the United States and causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. Black women in the United States made up 1,889 new cases of reported ovarian cancer and 1,398 died per every 100,000 cases in 2019.
As mentioned in our HERS, LLC origin story blog- we know that Women of color have the lowest percentages of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer but the highest mortality percentages. They are also usually diagnosed in the late stages of 3 and 4 when cancer has migrated to other parts of the body.
HERS, LLC Founder, Yvette Jives is a nurse, social worker, and an Ovarian cancer survivor who knows first hand how difficult diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer can be. Learning to advocate for herself after several misdiagnosed Urinary Tract Infections, Yvette was able to receive a diagnosis earlier than most with time to create and execute a treatment plan that has had her in remission for 11 years in 2023.
Yvette also understands the mistrust her own Black and Brown community have with medical providers which plays a major factor into people seeking care. Educating and overcoming these biases and stigmas on both side of this issue has been a great cornerstone focus of Yvette’s professional career. With over 3 decades of experience in healthcare roles, Yvette has dedicated her career to creating equitable programs, and linking people too much needed resources, whether that is financial support, housing, or sourcing medical equipment.
Another factor contributing to worse outcomes for Black and Brown women is how new treatments are not equitably tested. One example is the introduction of drugs that are changing the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment. Yet, the US Food and Drug Administration’s most recent approval of one such drug was made on the basis of a clinical trial in which only 1.6% of participants were Black, which means that the efficacy and impact of drugs like this in Black women are less well known.
HERS, LLC focuses on narrowing the disparities of racial differences in ovarian cancer mortality rates for People of Color. We do so by helping educate around the symptoms and available treatments. This can aid in early diagnosis and in creating a patient-centered care plan for disease management. We empower people to talk about their own health and pursue the care they deserve. If you or someone you know are struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out for a free consultation TODAY!
