Voices and Campaigns
Kemi Doll, MD
“I co-founded ECANA, which is the Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African Americans,” says says Kemi Doll, MD, of the University of Washington. “And part of the reason was that with endometrial cancer, Black women have a 90 percent higher mortality rate than all other groups of women in the United States. This is a larger difference in racial disparity than we see in breast cancer.”
“Part of it is definitely the fact that people don’t know about this cancer. Another reason is that the quality of our healthcare system isn’t really the same for Black women as it is for everybody else, especially when it comes to their reproductive healthcare.”
“We don’t know why but Black women do have a higher likelihood of having a more aggressive kind of endometrial cancer. In fact, that’s the reason why Black women should have the most awareness and be ready to go in terms of symptoms and getting evaluated.”
A 3-minute video from the University of Washington.
More information at Endometrial Cancer Action Network for African Americans
Spot Her
Uterine cancer is the 4th most frequently diagnosed cancer for women in the U.S. In 2020, uterine cancer resulted in about 65,000 new cases and 12,500 deaths—and these rates are on the rise.
Spot Her is an initiative to help end the silence around endometrial cancer. We aim to embrace the power of every woman’s voice to take a stand on this important women’s health issue. Together we can educate, support, and build strength through community.
Women with endometrial cancer have reported that their symptoms were often stigmatized and dismissed. By talking about these “below the belt” symptoms, we can empower others to spot the signs early and take action, when it may be more treatable.
Increasing awareness about the potential signs of endometrial cancer is important for Black women, as only 53% of Black women with the condition receive an early diagnosis. A delay in diagnosis could make the disease more difficult to treat.