Abstract B063: A community-based organization, health equity uplift and growth alliance for triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer in young women
Authors: Regnante Jeanne M. , Pratt-Chapman Mandi L. , Paulicin Belinda , Leader Amy , Leach Virginia , Cooper LaToya A. , Steele Sue , Karmo Maimah 
Published: September 2024

Background: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) disproportionately affect the Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) community as well as younger women. Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women less than 40 years old, and survival rates for young women with BC remain lower than for their older counterparts. While more effective treatments and progress in genomic and genetic testing have improved survival of those affected by BC, not everyone has benefited from these advances. Methods: In early 2023, Tigerlily Foundation issued a request for proposal for community-driven initiatives to educate and support young BIPOC women at risk or living with TNBC or MBC in under resourced communities. Fifteen applications were received by Tigerlily over a 6-week period, and 5 community-based organizations (CBOs) in under-resourced metropolitan areas were recommended for $20,000 each in funding by an independent review panel. Tigerlily met with CBO leaders 3 times between May 2023-April 2024 to share experiences, lessons learned and successes. Results: The community- based organization health equity uplift and growth (CBO HUG) alliance resulted in patients and caregivers with increased awareness regarding BC stage, type, and equitable care standards. Approximately, 620 CBO led programs were held over 12 months, where 15,419 BIPOC community members were reached, and 340 community members were referred for screening or health services in partnership with CBOs, Tigerlily’s ANGEL Advocates (Peer Navigators) and NCI Cancer Center Leadership. Programs generally fell into 19 program types, e.g., game nights, radio podcasts, and programs in connection with mobile mammogram units. Twelve Tigerlily ANGEL advocates participated by sharing Tigerlily resources and their stories, providing educational material, facilitating discussion groups, and co-designing content and evaluation instruments. Evaluation reports identified over 40 actionable and notable practices. These practices are categorized by those that worked well and those that need improvement, as noted by CBO leadership and/or ANGEL advocates. Conclusions: The CBO HUG Alliance education and capacity building initiative fostered solutions and bolstered community-based organizations in under-resourced communities. This program leveraged peer navigation and culturally sensitive programming to help young BIPOC persons optimize their health. CBO leaders provided local expertise and community-driven solutions which are at the core of Tigerlily’s commitment to uplift others by listening, learning, leveraging what we learned, and letting the community lead. Next steps include sustained co-curation of tailored content to support empowerment of priority populations.

Citation Format: Jeanne M. Regnante, Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, Belinda Paulicin, Amy Leader, Virginia Leach, LaToya A. Cooper, Sue Steele, Maimah Karmo. A community-based organization, health equity uplift and growth alliance for triple negative breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer in young women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B063.