Survival after breast cancer and after all cancers is significantly worse f
or African American women than for others. Although many reasons have been
proposed, no studies have explored the reception of messages about breast c
anter by African American survivors of this disease, and how public images
and discourses about breast cancer affects both their perceived risk for th
is disease and their experiences of illness. Narrative accounts of their li
ved experiences with breast cancer were collected from 23 African American
survivors of breast cancer. Three themes have emerged: (a) Breast cancer is
perceived to be a white woman's disease; (b) cancer is caused by experienc
es of repeated traumatic heartbreak; and finally, (c) there is a perceived
lack of social support and understanding for the unique life experiences of
the African American survivor of breast cancer. Nurses are on the Front li
ne of patient care. In the context of the managed care environment, they sp
end more time with patients than other health care providers and are soundb
oards for many patient concerns. As such, they can use the information prov
ided in this study to inform high-risk women, current patients, partners, a
nd other individuals in the medical community of how African American women
might inaccurately access their personal risks for breast cancer, despite
the public emphasis on this disease. Through the use of culturally sensitiv
e pamphlets, nurses and other medical practitioners can also open discussio
ns with underserved and minority patients as a means of realistically addre
ssing some of these women's fears about breast cancer. These fears are barr
iers to effective cancer prevention because these individuals may conscious
ly or unconsciously link a diagnosis of breast cancer, or even behaviors re
lated to cancer prevention, to a potential death sentence.