Abstract P4-11-23: Project SOAR: The strong black woman schema in the breast cancer context
Authors: Tammie Denyse, Kimberly J Martin, Yrvane K Pageot, K Denise deLuz, Jacqueline HJ Kim, Praise Owoyemi, Annette L Stanton
Journal: Cancer Research (2022)

Abstract Breast cancer is a crucial problem for African American women, with marked disparities in five-year survival relative to non-Latina white women. Research also suggests that Black breast cancer survivors are disadvantaged in specific quality of life (QOL) domains (relative to non-Latina white women), persisting through two years or more. Although spiritual QOL appears more robust for Black women relative to white women, disparities include lower physical QOL, as well as more pronounced depressive symptoms, perceived stress, fear of dying, unmet supportive care needs, and financial distress, with younger Black women (&amp;lt; 50 years) particularly at risk. Additionally, African American breast cancer survivors report receiving a lack of information from their physicians during diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Factors such as socioeconomic and medical characteristics only partially explain the QOL disparities. The goal of Project SOAR (Speaking Our African American Realities), a community-academic partnership, is to explore the potential relevance and influence of the Strong Black Woman schema (i.e., historically grounded expectations to prioritize caregiving over self-care, suppress emotions, present an image of strength, decline support, and strive to achieve success without adequate resources) in the breast cancer context. Three Gatherings (i.e., focus groups) were held in intimate settings (e.g., private homes) and provided an entirely Black women’s space to discuss the breast cancer experience. All participants (N = 37; age = 30-94 years) had heard of the concept of the Strong Black Woman, and the majority reported identifying with the scholarly definition of the Strong Black Woman, citing both negative and positive aspects of the schema in their breast cancer experience. Perceived negative consequences included differential treatment in the oncology setting, including a lack of empathy and expectations of Black breast cancer patients’ strength on the part of the oncologic team. Positive facets included a deep spiritual connection, a sense of resilience, and self-advocacy. Additionally, participants reported primarily approach-oriented attempts to cope with their experience (e.g., attempting self-advocacy in the oncologic setting), while also citing struggles in such coping efforts, such as feeling unheard in the medical system and a lack of belonging in the broader breast cancer community. Implications of the findings for the oncologic treatment team and enhancing the experience of Black women as breast cancer survivors will be addressed. Citation Format: Tammie Denyse, Kimberly J Martin, Yrvane K Pageot, K Denise deLuz, Jacqueline HJ Kim, Praise Owoyemi, Annette L Stanton. Project SOAR: The strong black woman schema in the breast cancer context [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-11-23.