The endometrial cancer action network for African-Americans (ECANA)

Ecana services provides

Ecana offers educational and virtual educational sessions and community support for women diagnosed with endometrial cancer and those in danger. Its programs include the following elements:

Survivor sanctuary

Twice a month, Ecana welcomes Sanctuary survivors, an online program combining yoga flesh with conversations where women can connect and share their experiences in a safe and empathetic environment. This time is not scripted, and women who are shy about sharing often feel empowered to speak after getting to know other women, says Moore.

At least once a month, the program includes a living biblical study session, where women can find strength, hope and healing thanks to shared faith. “We understand that for black women, faith is really fundamental,” explains Moore.

If you want to participate, you can register via your website.

Impact of the project

The Impact project is the initiative to raise awareness of the Ecana base, designed to make education in cancer of the endometrium accessible. The program was born from the lived experiences of black women whose symptoms were often not treated or poorly diagnosed.

“When these symptoms are missed and not treated in a timely manner, we are diagnosed at advanced stages of endometrial cancer,” explains Moore. “We must have the most aggressive types of treatment, and sometimes we lose your life,” she adds.

Moore says that the impact of the project addresses this problem by forming survivors and supporters of the community to meet people where they find themselves and speak openly about the disease.

The program helps women understand the symptoms and risk factors for endometrial cancer. This also allows women to recognize when their symptoms could be more serious, defend themselves and clearly communicate their concerns with their health care providers. Teaching early symptoms and risk factors can save lives, especially when using culturally relevant materials, Moore explains.

Involvement of clinical trials

Ecana also encourages black women to get involved in clinical trials. “”[Doll] I wanted to study why black women died more endometrial cancer than any other breed, ”explains Moore. This led the doll to publish studies on the disparities in endometrial cancer and the under-representation of black women in cancer research.

To make research better integrate the direct experiences of black women, Ecana has been a team of survivors who associate themselves with university researchers. The organization shares information on the clinical trial on its website so that women do not have to search for databases. When new trials become available, Ecana invites researchers to her community spaces to explain objectives, criteria and details, explains Moore. Sometimes the treatment costs can be partially covered if they are part of a test, she says.

Those interested can contact ECANA to ask questions about specific research opportunities.

Education

Education is essential and Ecana has several resources, as well as a quarterly newsletter, to help you know more about endometrium cancer. “You can take a brochure, but if it doesn’t look like you, you may think that it doesn’t concern you,” says Moore. You can find these educational tools, as well as personal stories of patients, on its website.

“We want to make sure that everyone knows all the resources at their disposal,” explains Moore. “And that they are not left aside simply because they do not live in the right postal code.”

Events

Strides 2 Survive is the annual virtual march 5K of Ecana in honor of strength, solidarity and awareness. Each September, which is the month of awareness of gynecological cancer, the participants traveled 3.1 miles but they choose: walking, running or moving at their own pace, wherever they feel the most comfortable. The event welcomes survivors, caregivers, supporters and all those who want to help the cause.

In addition to 5K, Ecana sometimes organizes special events thanks to her survivor sanctuary program. The details are shared with the community throughout the year.

If you want to stay up to date with all the upcoming events in ECANA, you can follow the organization on Instagram @ecanawomen.

Fundamental belief

“The global mission of ECANA is to build a visible and viable community for black women with endometrium cancer to be empowered to share their history,” explains Moore.

“To show how strong they are in life – and sometimes dying – but also to know that they count. Your story counts. Your life counts. Your representation counts. And we just need to talk about it.”