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Genentech Oncology

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Featured Initiative: Love Letters

Driving Cancer Screening Awareness to Improve Outcomes Among Black and Latina Women

Dear sisters, all sisters, particularly my black and brown sisters, get your screenings, get them on time, get them regularly. Commit to it as part of your self-care plan.

Illustration of a man.

—Deborah Hall-Moore, breast cancer survivor, Brooklyn, NY

Problem

  • 1 in 3 Black and Latina women will develop cancer in their lifetime, but they face structural and financial barriers to healthcare access1,2
  • Black and Latina women have higher incidences of certain cancers, are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, and face poor outcomes when compared with other groups1,2
  • Gaps in cancer outcomes based on race, income, and geography will continue to widen without meaningful intervention from healthcare providers and policymakers3
  • The American Cancer Society and other organizations have highlighted an urgent need to increase cancer screening rates among Black and Latina women

An example of how we’re addressing the problem

A cancer screening awareness campaign focused on Black and Latina women, created “by the community, for the community.” We collaborated with local health systems and community organizations from across New York City to launch Love Letters for Cancer Screening, a multicultural initiative.

Its goal is to reduce inequities in care, using the power of love to spread messages about the importance of cancer screening for women. Love Letters for Cancer Screening was also launched in partnership with Cancer Screen Week partners, the American Cancer Society, Optum and StandUptoCancer.

Watch a video about Love Letters.

The campaign pairs original artwork by Black and Latina artists with personal letters, in English or Spanish, to loved ones who faced cancer.

Each resource connects viewers, by QR code or directly to loveyougetscreened.com, to comprehensive screening information in both English and Spanish. Cards are placed within community, faith, and healthcare settings in New York City.

Community members were trained as Love Letters health advocates, spreading the message and materials.

Love Letters by the numbers:

During the pilot program in New York City in 2022,4

1.7 million broadcast TV impressions

7.9K American Cancer Society site visits directed from Love Letters materials

>25,000 participants at in-person events

>5000 materials distributed to houses of worship, healthcare facilities, and other community hubs

10 YMCA events, including exercise classes

6 health fairs

Since its launch, Love Letters has been expanding across the country.4

The campaign has reached 16 states and continues to be brought to communities that need improved screening for Black and Latina women.

Join us in helping to save more lives with Love Letters.
Download sample posters & flashcards in both English and Spanish from the campaign in the Resources tab, Screening Awareness.

Contact us to access the full suite of Love Letters resources and implementation tools

Contact Us

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