A professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Michelle Martin, PhD, focuses her research on cancer health disparities. So, it is a natural fit for her to serve as a member of the planning committee for the 2021 Live! Memphis Breast Health Summit, set for 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., May 1.
It’s not her first time to support the summit, which is designed to celebrate breast cancer survivors and educate women about the disease, including prevention, new treatments, and community resources. It’s also not the first time that UTHSC has been a major supporter of the event, which is hosted by the Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium and the Common Table Health Alliance. The first Live! breast cancer summit was held at UTHSC, and the university has been a key sponsor for the event ever since.
Dr. Martin, director of the Center for Innovation in Health Equity Research at UTHSC and a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine in the UTHSC College of Medicine, said this year’s event, themed “Going Positively Pink to Beat Breast Cancer,” is important to area women on many levels.
“With increased early detection and advanced treatments, women with breast cancer are living much longer, and it’s so important to celebrate living longer and also being sure you have information to have the best survivorship that you can,” Dr. Martin said.
This is particularly important for African American women diagnosed with breast cancer. “Years ago, breast cancer was more common in white women. Now, it is as common in African American women, however, African American women are 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women,” she said. “And so, a significant disparity still exists. We don’t really understand all the reasons why, and that’s why it’s important to continue to share information and experiences and do research to really close that gap.”
The 2021 Live! Memphis Breast Health Summit will be held virtually via Zoom. Dr. Jacqueline Walters of the Bravo TV series, “Married to Medicine,” will be the keynote speaker for the morning event. She is a breast cancer survivor and will share her experience with the disease. WMC-TV Action News 5 personality Janeen Gordon, also a breast cancer survivor, will host the event. Health care experts will discuss the latest information on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Women registered for the summit can pick up a bag filled with information, giveaways, and prizes from 2–4 p.m., May 1. To register or for more information, go to the MBCC Live! webpage.
“It’s a joy to plan this free community event,” said Common Table Health Alliance Chief Operating Officer Carla Baker, RN. “Last year, over one-third of the attendees were first-timers, and we hope this virtual experience will allow even more people to join us, as we seek to educate others about pertinent topics and community resources.”
Live! Memphis Breast Health Summit
May 1, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Via Zoom
Keynote speaker: Dr. Jacqueline Walters of Bravo TV’s “Married to Medicine”
Host: Janeen Gordon, WMC-TV Action News 5 personality
Presented by: The Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium and the Common Table Health Alliance
Bag pick up for registrants: 2-4 p.m.
To register: go to the MBCC Live! webpage