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Sister Support: Women Create a Breast Cancer Movement

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Breast Cancer

Abstract

Writing in 1980, six months after she underwent a modified radical mastectomy at the age of 44, Audre Lorde spoke of the fear experienced by virtually every woman who hears the dreaded words, “You have breast cancer.” At the time, almost no one had heard of breast cancer support groups and there was no breast cancer movement.1 When Lorde died from breast cancer in November 1992, the social and political landscape had changed dramatically. Breast cancer was no longer a personal secret; the breast cancer movement in the United States had grown from support groups to national organizations. Grass-roots groups were scattered across America.

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether or not I am unafraid.

—Audre Lorde, The Cancer Journals

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Authors
  1. Barbara A. Brenner J.D.
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Copyright information

© 2000 Anne S. Kasper, Susan J. Ferguson

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Brenner, B.A. (2000). Sister Support: Women Create a Breast Cancer Movement. In: Breast Cancer. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-03779-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-137-03779-4_12

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, New York

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-312-29451-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-03779-4

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave History CollectionHistory (R0)

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