Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor Black individuals and communities. For this month’s book club, we’re highlighting the cancer experience through the perspectives of Black patients and survivors. These stories not only spotlight the unique challenges of Black communities, but call for the continued work that’s needed to close the gap in cancer care to ensure equal treatment for all.
Find these titles at your local library, or bookstore, or on the Libby app for a chance to read them for free. If you prefer listening to podcasts, we’ve linked them directly below.
Books
1) The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
The Cancer Journals is a powerful and transformative memoir that follows Audre Lorde’s experience with breast cancer as a patient and a survivor. As a “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet,” Lorde challenges societal expectations of beauty and femininity, inspiring readers to embrace their bodies and identities with pride, even in the face of illness.
2) Fighting for Survival by Fitzroy Dawkins
Written through the lens of a medical oncologist and hematologist, Dr. Fitzroy Dawkins recognizes and understands the historic distrust many Black patients have in the U.S. medical system. Dr. Dawkins explains how medical protocols have significantly changed over the past 50 years and why it’s critical for Black patients to pursue all lines of treatment. Fighting for Survival is a call to action from Dr. Dawkins to encourage Black patients to not be afraid to seek out cutting-edge advances in cancer care and consider all applicable treatment options in their fight against cancer.
3) Bless the Blood by Walela Nehanda
Told through a series of essays and poems, Bless the Blood captures the medical racism Walela Nehanda faced after being diagnosed with leukemia at 23. Nehanda details their frustrating experience of navigating the medical system as a non-binary, disabled, Black patient and how they advocated for themselves throughout treatment.
Podcasts
- Real Pink | Reaching New Heights as Black Breast Cancer Survivors
In this episode, two women share how their lives changed after a breast cancer diagnosis and what their lives look like today. Former track star Donna Dennis and United Airlines pilot Nia Gilliam walk listeners through their experiences and treatment paths, advocating for Black women to take control of their breast health.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- RISE for Equity | Saving Black Lives: The Cancer Care Gap
Tune into a discussion with Mayo Clinic’s Drs. Folakemi Odedina and Alyx Porter explain why representation matters in cancer care. Learn about how a diverse workforce can improve outcomes for Black patients and their proposed strategies on how to foster equitable care.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
- Prostate Cancer Uncensored: Black Men’s Prostate Cancer Initiative Podcast | Eric Morrow: My Prostate Cancer Journey
In this episode, Dr. Reggie Tucker-Seeley is joined by prostate cancer survivor and veteran Eric Morrow. Morrow shares his prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment path and the difficulties he encountered navigating the healthcare system.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Have you found the words of a particular author or storyteller helpful? Let us know if there’s a book you’d like to see highlighted during the upcoming months of our Book Club.
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