NACDD’s Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and Their Families Project 

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to educating the public about breast cancer. In the United States, breast cancer continues to be the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women. While awareness, earlier diagnoses, and more effective treatments have led to a decline in breast cancer death, a mortality gap between White and African American/Black women still exists. In fact, according to the American Cancer Society, while Black and White women have similar incidence rates, mortality rates differ. For women under 50, the gap is higher, with young Black women having double the mortality rate than young White women.  

In September 2024, NACDD received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the five-year cooperative agreement, “Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and Their Families” (CDC-RFA-DP-24-0061).

This project utilizes a structured approach to enhance psychosocial and educational support for young Black breast cancer survivors (YBCS) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) areas. Through seven key strategies, the project engages collaborative partnerships, outreach, patient and healthcare provider education, and resource dissemination to reduce health gaps.

Key objectives include mobilizing partnerships with State Health Departments in DC, Maryland, and Virginia, as well as with health systems, non-profit organizations, and Comprehensive Cancer Control coalitions to expand psychosocial support networks. Additionally, the project conducts secondary research and creates targeted educational materials for survivors, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The plan also emphasizes audience-appropriate outreach efforts.  

In Year One, NACDD built a strong framework for the five-year cooperative agreement. Year One highlights included: 

• Our partner TOUCH, the Black Breast Cancer Alliance (BBCA) launched the  Here for Our Blessties Resource Library on July 8, 2025. The site already has 2,800+ views 

• The project has reached over 48,000 breast cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers via social media and in-person events 

• NACDD, in concert with the Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC), has developed a curriculum for our Primary Care Learning Collaborative and Quality Improvement Initiatives and successfully recruited seven clinics to participate 

• The project has identified 271 psychosocial resources (national and DC/MD/VA) for young Black breast cancer survivors and created a Resource Directory for Community Health Workers and Patient Navigators (to be disseminated in Year 2) 

In Year Two, NACDD, TOUCH, and FMEC will continue these efforts, building on those from Year One. Some high-level activities will include the launch of a primary care learning collaborative and Quality Improvement initiatives, the launch of a resource directory for community health workers, and the creation of a new support group, led by TOUCH.