Cancer Survivors Spread Message of Early Detection

Article date: April 16, 2010

Although there are many signs the disparity gap is narrowing, cancer continues to take a hefty toll on minority communities. These cancer survivors are fighting back by spreading the message of cancer prevention and early detection.

Breast cancer survivor Rita Gore joined an outreach program that encourages African-American women to get screened for breast cancer, while prostate cancer survivor Beau Stubblefield-Tave has taken his early detection campaign to friends and family. “There’s still this hesitancy about talking about cancer, especially in the black community. It's so important to talk to people," he says.

Get inspired by the stories of these cancer survivors who have turned their diagnoses into stories of hope. 

Knowledge is Key, Says Breast Cancer Survivor

Mother, teacher, and breast cancer survivor Rita Gore encourages African-American women to be educated about the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection. Read her story here.  

Weigh Your Options, Says Prostate Cancer Survivor

Prostate cancer survivor Beau Stubblefield-Tave had had a series of high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, but he put off additional testing. Now he presses all men to follow up on any suspicious findings. Read his story here.  

DJ Spreads Hope Through Relay For Life

Tongue cancer was an especially cruel diagnosis for disc jockey Jose Vallenilla. Surviving it gave him a new perspective, and a passion for helping others through Relay For Life. Read his story here.  

Bone Cancer Survivor Gives Back

The American Cancer Society helped Craig King through a rare type of bone cancer when he was in his teens. Now in his 20s, Craig keeps giving back. He's raised thousands of dollars for Relay For Life through his college fraternity, and each summer, he works as a counselor at Camp Kemo, a summer camp for kids with cancer and their siblings that he attended during his own treatment. Read his inspiring story here. 

Survivor's Sister Shows Support by Joining Study

After her sister, Wanda Willis, was diagnosed with breast cancer, Tina Hall joined a clinical trial that aims to find the roots of the disease by studying the healthy sisters of women who had it. Read their story here.  

Survivor Turned Warrior Against Prostate Cancer

Woody Sloan never imagined he could have prostate cancer, until symptoms sent him to his doctor. Seventeen years later, he's actively helping other men learn about this disease. Read his story here.

Reviewed by: Members of the ACS Medical Content Staff

ACS News Center stories are provided as a source of cancer-related news and are not intended to be used as press releases.