Many Black men in Houston are actively interested in raising awareness and supporting the fight against breast cancer, despite the fact that it is frequently perceived as a women’s issue.
With the exception of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in the US. About 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new malignancies in women each year are caused by it. The American Cancer Society predicts that the United States will have the following rates of breast cancer in 2024. An estimated 42,250 people will die from breast cancer, and 310,720 new instances of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women.
In addition to highlighting the value of male support during this battle, their testimonies of devotion, advocacy, and care show how breast cancer impacts communities and families.
Following the early diagnosis of breast cancer in two of his sisters, Dr. John Standford, PhD, CEO of Foston International Communications Inc., became an advocate for the cause. According to Standford, I started to worry about and get active with breast cancer. After first supporting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness, I learned about Sister’s Network, Inc., a Black group that focuses on African American women who have breast cancer, in 2012.
His story inspired him to spread the word and underlined how crucial it is to create a network of guys who stand by women during these trying times. To encourage Black males to become active and educate themselves about breast cancer, Standford started a support organization called Brothers Helping Sisters. Particularly in the African American community, this program developed into a vital source of support for families and individuals dealing with the illness.
The Learning Process
Dr. Standford learned about the psychological and physical toll breast cancer takes on people via his advocacy work. He recalls on the spectrum of emotions my sister and our family experienced when she was initially diagnosed.
It was heartbreaking to watch a loved one suffer from chemotherapy and its adverse effects, which included noticeable weight gain and hair loss. He claims it was heartbreaking to watch her go through that transformation because she had always been active and healthy.
The Stanford family came together to offer both practical and emotional support, from helping with daily necessities to going to doctor’s appointments. He came to see that men’s involvement in breast cancer awareness goes beyond simply spreading knowledge; it also involves providing their loved ones with all the emotional, mental, and physical support they need.
He also discovered how critical it is to address breast cancer at levels other than the family. According to Stanford, males need to take the initiative to educate themselves and the public at large.
He believes that although we may not get breast cancer ourselves, someone in our social circle, a family member, or a friend may. By encouraging early detection, being aware of available treatments, and sticking up for loved ones, males may play a critical role.
Prominent individuals in Houston, such as former Houston City Councilman Dwight Boykins and Congressman Al Green, have joined forces to promote breast cancer awareness among the Black community. Their collaboration with regular men like Dr. Stanford demonstrates that assistance is a collective endeavor that goes beyond the home.
Black males now have a platform to stand with their spouses, moms, sisters, and daughters thanks to Stanford’s initiative, Brothers Helping Sisters. It inspired them to speak out, take part in fundraising activities, and advocate for laws that would improve women of color’s access to healthcare and treatment alternatives. The message is still clear: males can and should play an active role in the fight against breast cancer, even though the group’s activities decreased during the pandemic.
Roland Shaw, an IT consultant, was influenced by personal sorrow to become an advocate for breast cancer. At the age of 14, he lost his mother to breast cancer.
Shaw recalled feeling powerless as he watched her battle a sickness that had taken so much from her. I was deeply affected by it, and I felt compelled to do something to pay tribute to her.
Shaw become more conscious as an adult of the dearth of male participation in breast cancer activism.
“Seeing so many men back off from helping the women in their lives during these times was concerning,” he says. He altered the story because he was inspired by his mother’s legacy.
Men must be more than obedient supporters. We must actively advocate for causes.
In order to increase awareness and educate men about the disease, Shaw founded the Brothers Prostate and Health Education Foundation.
He says it’s critical that males take charge and help the women in their life. Breast cancer affects families and the community as a whole, not just women. We can lessen the stigma and promote early detection the more we discuss it.
He highlights how important education is to lobbying.
We must educate ourselves on the dangers and effects of breast cancer. He argues that males become champions for their loved ones when they realize they can contribute to this battle.
Shaw also emphasizes the value of togetherness, saying that when we unite as a community, we can forge a strong network of support. We can change things, and our voices count.
For males who are still figuring out how they can contribute, Shaw provides straightforward yet impactful guidance.
“Be more concerned first,” Shaw said. Get active, ask questions, and look for answers.
He urges males to get involved with local breast cancer support groups, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Sister’s Network, Inc. These platforms provide men with the knowledge and resources they need to become caretakers, allies, and champions.
Above all, Standford stresses the importance of active support and empathy. Men play a crucial role in this battle, whether it is by supporting research, going to treatments with a loved one, or just listening. He asserts that you don’t need to be a scientist or doctor to have an impact. Being present is sometimes the best course of action.
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