BREAST CANCER: A STORY HALF TOLD PRESS KIT
Breast Cancer: A Story Half Told is an initiative by Pfizer, which launched in 2014 in partnership with advocates, patients and healthcare professionals. The initiative aims to elevate public understanding of metastatic breast cancer, dispel misperceptions, combat stigma and expand the breast cancer conversation to be more inclusive of metastatic breast cancer.
News:
Patients Tell The Other Side Of The Story:
Story Half Told shares the perspectives of people living with metastatic breast cancer as chronicled by prominent photographers. The people openly share the realities of the disease and the joys of their lives through this program. This photography-based initiative is featured on the @StoryHalfTold Instagram account, as well as on www.StoryHalfTold.com and the program's Facebook account.
In 2018, Story Half Told expanded the metastatic breast cancer conversation with the launch of Community Stories, a larger platform that encourages the broader metastatic breast cancer community to share experiences, tips, or words of inspiration.
Meet Michael, Greenwich, NY
Meet Sheila, Swansea, IL
Meet Tarah, Dallas, TX
- Meet Michael, Greenwich, NY
In 2017, Story Half Told welcomed its first-ever male MBC patient, Michael Kovarik, to help shine a light on metastatic breast cancer and male breast cancer. In 2018, it is estimated that over 2.5K men will be diagnosed with breast cancer.1 Learn More ?
- Meet Sheila, Swansea, IL
Story Half Told introduced Sheila McGlown, a 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force and MBC advocate in 2018. Sheila is excited to share her story and raise awareness for breast cancer within the African-American community, where women with breast cancer are, on average, 40% more likely to die of the disease than white women with breast cancer.2 Learn More ?
- Meet Tarah, Dallas, TX
Most recently, Story Half Told brought hereditary breast cancer and the importance of genetic testing to the forefront with the story of Tarah Harvey, a patient with MBC and BRCA2 and CHEK2 mutations. People with breast cancer due to an inherited genetic mutation may face unique challenges, including access to genetic counseling, and the weight of the knowledge that family members may be at risk. Learn More ?
2. American Cancer Society. Breast cancer facts & figures 2017-2018.?https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2017-2018.pdf. Accessed January 19, 2018.
FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH
In 2014, Pfizer commissioned three complementary studies to inspire change: an in-office study which revealed gaps in patient-physician dialogue; a workplace study, which examined the perspectives of working women with breast cancer, healthcare professionals and employers; as well as a general public survey which revealed gaps in understanding and awareness in metastatic breast cancer.
In 2018, Pfizer brought together a group of multidisciplinary experts and also conducted a survey of patients with breast cancer to identify the needs of people living with hereditary breast cancer, barriers to genetic testing and recommendations to address these challenges.