RALEIGH, N.C. — While organizations like the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network study data surrounding breast cancer, they also want to provide support for cancer patients and survivors.
A breast cancer survivor in North Carolina hopes to inspire others by sharing her story and her mission.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said they project that in 2023 there will be over 297,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women and over 43,000 deaths from breast cancer.
With this in mind, Francina Booker, a breast cancer survivor and volunteer for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, is trying to encourage others and educate them about the disease.
“I want them to know you can have (a) quality of life,” Booker said. “You can enjoy your life. It doesn’t have to be humdrum, you don’t got to walk around with your head down. You don’t got to stay in the house. No, the things that we can still do. Be active out in the community.”
Booker is now five years and seven months cancer free, but she lost her sister to the same disease.
“It was a process. I went through a lot, but I got through it,” Booker said. “There were support groups, my family, my church that was there for me, encouraged me, inspired me, prayed for me.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said breast cancer has the highest average treatment cost of any cancer, and in 2020, the annual medical costs totaled $29.8 billion.
Booker said the push for more cancer funding and research is always top of mind. Those battling the disease can experience unexpected hardships. With increased funding, organizations helped her get through her journey because she could no longer work.
Recently, Booker traveled to Washington, D.C. and met with members of Congress to advocate for more federal dollars for cancer research; but on Dec. 1, Medicaid Expansion will happen in our state. It’s a decision by state lawmakers that should help Booker’s mission.
“There are many North Carolinians out there right now that have cancer and don’t know it because they are not able to go have the necessary screening and testing that they need, but with increased funding and now that Medicaid expansion has been passed, it will give them the opportunity to go to not only get different screenings but also to be able to have routine exams,” Booker said.
There are currently breast cancer advocacy organizations that help pay for screening and care, like the Pretty in Pink Foundation.
Besides Medicaid expansion, North Carolina’s new state budget includes $43.5 million in funding for cancer research and $1.6 million for the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.now that have cancer and don’t know it because they are not able to go have the necessary screening and testing that they need, but with increased funding and now that Medicaid expansion has been passed, it will give them the opportunity to go to not only get different screenings but also to be able to have routine exams,” Booker said.
There are currently breast cancer advocacy organizations that help pay for screening and care, like the Pretty in Pink Foundation.
In addition to Medicaid expansion, North Carolina’s new state budget includes $43.5 million in funding for cancer research and $1.6 million for the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program.