- By Taylarr Lopez
From April 17–19, the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) had the opportunity to exhibit at the annual conference hosted by Living Beyond Breast Cancer in Philadelphia—a powerful gathering centered on education, connection, and support for individuals impacted by breast cancer.
The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Conference is one of the nation’s leading patient-centered events, bringing together people living with breast cancer, caregivers, advocates, and healthcare professionals. With an estimated 400–600 attendees over the three-day experience, the conference creates space for learning, healing, and honest conversations about navigating diagnosis, treatment, and life beyond.
Centering Equity in Metastatic Breast Cancer
At NMQF, our presence at the conference was grounded in a clear mission: ensuring that Black and Hispanic women living with metastatic breast cancer (mBC) have access to culturally relevant, practical, and empowering resources.
The need is urgent. While breast cancer incidence is slightly lower among Black women compared to white women, Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer, and are disproportionately diagnosed with more aggressive forms, including metastatic disease. Hispanic women also face barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment, often leading to later-stage detection. These disparities underscore why tailored support—like our Support Our Sisters with Metastatic Breast Cancer (SOS) program—is so critical.
Elevating Patient Voice: Juanita Miller
A highlight of our time in Philadelphia was being joined by Juanita Miller, a metastatic breast cancer patient and SOS ambassador. Juanita brought authenticity, compassion, and lived expertise to every conversation at our booth.
Her presence reminded attendees that behind every statistic is a real story—and that peer connection is one of the most powerful tools we have in navigating cancer care. Through sharing her journey and engaging with fellow attendees, Juanita helped create a welcoming and affirming space for others to open up, ask questions, and feel seen.
Resources That Meet Patients Where They Are
Throughout the conference, we connected with attendees by sharing a suite of patient-centered resources designed specifically for women managing metastatic breast cancer alongside the complexities of daily life:
Helping patients think through long-term decisions, from finances to career planning and care preferences.
Addressing the often-overlooked impact of mBC on relationships, self-image, and emotional connection.
Offering practical strategies to support mental health, reduce stress, and build emotional resilience.
Supporting patients in navigating multiple medications, side effects, and co-existing health conditions.
These resources sparked meaningful conversations at our booth—about everything from navigating difficult provider conversations to balancing treatment with quality of life. Many attendees shared that they rarely see materials that reflect their lived experiences, reinforcing the importance of culturally grounded health communication.
Building Community, One Conversation at a Time
Beyond the materials, what stood out most was the sense of connection. Whether it was a newly diagnosed patient looking for guidance, a long-term survivor sharing wisdom, or a caregiver seeking support, each interaction reinforced why this work matters.
The Living Beyond Breast Cancer Conference served as a reminder that community is a form of care—and that when we combine trusted information with lived experience, we can move closer to more equitable outcomes in cancer care.
Join the Movement
If you or someone you love is navigating metastatic breast cancer, we invite you to explore our resources, connect with other patients, and share your story.
Visit the Support Our Sisters (SOS) webpage today and become part of a community that’s built on understanding, empowerment, and action.
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