We know that facing a breast cancer diagnosis is a daunting thing to experience. But for some, the challenges, fears, and uncertainty can be compounded by a lack of access to culturally competent care and tailored supportive resources that truly understand and address the unique needs of diverse community groups. We’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of resources we know to be helpful and can provide much-needed assurance and support to culturally diverse communities, young women, those with high familial risk and LGBTQ+ individuals:
Resources for Young Women
Breast cancer is more commonly diagnosed in people over 50, but when younger women are diagnosed, it can be more aggressive and can often present as triple-negative (TNBC). Young women face unique challenges, both emotionally and practically, during their diagnosis and treatment.
- Never Too Young is CBCN’s popular newly diagnosed guide for young women facing a breast cancer diagnosis. It provides helpful information on the emotional and practical issues young women may face during their diagnosis and treatment.
- Support Programs:
- Rethink Breast Cancer offers virtual programs for young adults with breast cancer
- Young Survival Coalition offers a variety of virtual hangouts for young adults with breast cancer
Resources for Black Communities
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive forms of breast cancer, such as TNBC, and face higher mortality rates. These disparities, along with the lack of sufficient data on the racial and ethnic makeup of breast cancer in the Canadian context underscores the importance for access to targeted research, information, and support.
- Every Breast Counts is a hub dedicated to providing information on breast cancer to help inform, educate, and guide Black women in Canada. This resource, developed by Peter Gilgan Centre for Women’s Cancers in partnership with Olive Branch of Hope, provides important and helpful information tailored to Black women to help them navigate their breast cancer journey.
- Knowledge is Power: Black breast cancer experience series by Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a 3-part series that “explores the disparities in breast cancer care.” Additionally, it covers topics on self-care, body image, and breast reconstruction for Black women.
- The Black Breast Cancer Alliance brings together patients, advocacy groups, health care professionals, research and industry to advance issues related to Black breast health. They offer a variety of resources including videos and live educational sessions discussing important topics regarding the health of Black women.
- Support Programs:
- Olive Branch of Hope provides support services for women of African ancestry living with breast cancer. They offer virtual support groups, educational seminars and faith-based support, as well as helpful information on healthy living.
- The African Cancer Support Group provides support and information to anyone within the Black community facing a cancer diagnosis in Canada.
- Young Survival Coalition offers a virtual hangout for African American Young Breast Cancer Survivors.
Resources for Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous women often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare in a culturally safe and supportive way while also facing physical and financial barriers like high cost of travel and limited local healthcare resources.
- Indigenous patient navigators offer support and guidance for Indigenous patients. Their services range from advocacy support, language interpretation, spiritual/cultural care, and assistance throughout the continuum of care. Many hospitals and cancer centres across the country offer access to Indigenous navigators; ask your healthcare team to connect you with your local navigator.
- Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada offers resources and tools to help Inuit women navigate their cancer journey through their project, Inuusinni Aqqusaaqtara – My Journey.
- BIPOC Women’s Health Network offers an informative resource on where to find Indigenous specific resources based on province.
- The Canadian Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Hotline offers interpreter services in over 20 Indigenous languages: 1-888-939-3333.
- Support Programs:
- CancerConnection.ca by the Canadian Cancer Society is an online community for Canadian’s diagnosed with cancer. Their online forum allows you to filter member profiles by Indigenous communities to find peer support and connection.
- Wellspring Cancer Support Alberta offers an Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle once a month open to people of all Nations, co-led by an Elder and a Wellspring program leader.
- BIPOC Cancer Support Group is an online group that offers support to people who identify as members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and are living with a cancer diagnosis.
Resources for Hispanic/Latina Communities
Hispanic/Latina women are at a higher risk for TNBC and often face barriers such as language differences and limited access to healthcare information.
- What Hispanic Women and Latinas Need to Know about Breast Cancer by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation offers information and statistics about how breast cancer impacts Hispanic women and Latinas.
- Support Programs:
- ALAS-WINGS offers information and support for Hispanic/Latina women around the world and offers virtual events for free in Spanish.
Resources for Asian communities
Asian women face unique cultural and language barriers in accessing supportive breast cancer care. Which can include overcoming cultural stigmas associated with cancer and finding resources that understand and respect cultural practices and beliefs.
- Breast Cancer Recovery for Chinese Women offers information and resources for Chinese women in Toronto
- BC Cancer offers a variety of resources that can help you cope with the physical, practical, and emotional effects of cancer in Cantonese and Mandarin.
- Support Programs:
- The Toronto Chinese Breast Cancer Support Group, also known as Toronto Phoenix, helps Chinese breast cancer patients in Toronto cope with the emotional challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis.
- BC Cancer offers online support groups for Cantonese and Mandarin speakers.
Resources for People With a High-risk Due to a Family History of Breast Cancer
About 5-10% of all breast cancers are considered hereditary from an inherited gene variant (or mutation) and 60-80% of breast cancer patients with a BRCA1 mutation have TNBC. Understanding genetic factors and available support is crucial.
- CBCN’s Hereditary Breast Cancer Factsheet provides essential information on genetic factors, helping individuals understand their person and familial cancer risks.
- The Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors offers a variety of resources available in French and English to help educate individuals on hereditary cancer as well as the benefits and limitations of genetic testing.
- FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) offers a wealth of information on hereditary cancer genes, risk management and an online community for individuals with a personal or family history of hereditary cancer.
- Support Programs:
- FORCE also offers free online support groups for a variety of different communities impacted by hereditary cancer. They also offer a private Facebook group for people with a personal or family history of hereditary cancer.
Resources for LGTBQ+ individuals
LGBTQ+ individuals often face unique challenges and discrimination in the healthcare system. Trans individuals in particular face challenges in breast cancer from the lack of knowledge on the impacts of gender-affirming treatment on cancer treatment.
- Queering Cancer is a Canadian organization dedicated to sharing resources and information for sexual and gender diverse people. Their database allows you to search by cancer type, content type, audience, and more to find information tailored to your needs.
- Support Programs
- Young Adult Cancer Canada offers a monthly cancer chat, Out With Cancer, for 2SLGBTQIA+ people living with cancer.
- Lesbian Cancer Survivor and Caregiver Facebook Group is a closed support group for cis, trans, non-binary or gender non-conforming lesbians, bisexual women, and women-loving women who have been diagnosed with cancer.
- Young Survival Coalition offers a Virtual Hangout for LGBTQ+ Survivors through a private Facebook group for young adults who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis is a deeply personal journey, but finding the right support can help you feel less alone. When you have a community of people who have been where you are and can support you along the way, it can help make this path a little easier to face.
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