The Black Women Rising cancer support project was founded in 2019 by award-winning community champion Leanne Pero MBE, following her own breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 30.
During her journey, Leanne recognised a serious lack of culturally appropriate cancer support services within the NHS for people of colour. As she investigated further, it became clear that the voices and experiences of cancer patients from her community were largely absent from mainstream media, magazines and more alarmingly from reputable annual cancer campaigns, by brands and major charities, highlighting a wider issue of underrepresentation and lack of diversity in the UK cancer narrative.
Through our vital work, we’ve seen how cultural taboos, stigma, myths, and misinformation have shaped belief systems in communities where knowledge and understanding of cancer remain limited.
We also know that many women of colour feel isolated, unseen, unheard, and unrepresented when being diagnosed with cancer. Highlighting the urgent need to address the deep-rooted disparities in cancer awareness, diagnosis, and access to care.
By creating safe spaces for our members and visually amplifying real voices through education, awareness, story telling and outreach initiatives, we empower our members with the knowledge, confidence, and support they need to navigate their cancer journeys positively.
Some of our beautiful members who took part in Mas yesterday courtesy of @colourscarnivalltd 😍🔥❤️ so proud of these ladies!! 💥
@dmay_photography 📸
What is one change you would like to see for Black people facing cancer?
From earlier diagnosis to better representation, culturally relevant care or more inclusive research.
Drop your answer in the comments.
✨Thank you for sharing with us @sharnesherrese @soulfulstiches2025 @shanna_antonio @rebslifestyle @wilecat21
🎥Filmed by @rhiannonbarker__
These ladies smashed it last night! 🙌🏾💜
What an incredible evening we had on @bbc1xtra Talks with @guvnab for a very special episode dedicated to breast cancer ✨
From powerful lived experience voices from Shanna and Leanne to important medical advice from Sarah- the conversation covered SO much and it was beautiful to see so many of you tuning in, listening and engaging. ✨
More than anything, it means so much to see our community having these important conversations openly and honestly. Representation matters, our stories matter and these conversations matter. ✨
A huge thank you to @bbc1xtra @guvnab for the incredible opportunity ✨
Link in bio for anyone that wants to listen back 🔗
What is one thing you wish people knew about the cancer experiences of Black communities?
⭐️Some of our members shared their views and whether you’ve been diagnosed, supported a loved one, work in healthcare, we would love to hear your thoughts.
👇🏾Share your answer in the comments below.
✨Thank you for sharing with us @rebslifestyle @wilecat21 @soulfulstiches2025 @shanna_antonio @sharnesherrese e @mphango.rose
🎥Filmed by @rhiannonbarker__
Dare we say this was one of our favourite events of the year so far? 🤩 🩷
Last week we teamed up with @breastcancernow for a fully booked supper club @TheAfricaCentre 🤩 for an incredible evening raising awareness of Breast Cancer in the black community 🤩
After an educational breast health session hosting by Breast Cancer Now’s team, we heard from our incredible lived experience panel Olympic athlete Donna Fraser @donnalegz, and our amazing members Hasna De Four @hasnade and Kelly Calladine-Smith @kellycalladinex 🩷
Last but definitely not least, we feasted on delicious food from @littlebaobabuk and enjoyed goodies from our friends at @palmersuk. 10/10! 🩷
It was so beautiful to see over 100 people in the room from all walks of life, coming together for such an important conversation. Eight years ago, when we first started the charity events like this simply did not exist. 🩷
To see this level of support, connection and demand has been incredibly special. This is only the beginning, and we will definitely be bringing more events like this in the future 🩷
🤩 Having filmed this a couple of weeks ago, it feels so surreal sharing it now… because since our last post, the response has been nothing short of incredible. 🥹✨
We are now down to our FINAL 20 TICKETS for this years GALA 🤍
We have been completely blown away by your support and have done and doing everything we can to release a few more tickets. We also have a handful of tables still available, but they are very limited. 🙏🏾
If you’ve been thinking about joining us for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration, community, inspiration and entertainment, now is the time to book.
🎟 Grab your ticket before they’re gone.
Interested in booking one of the remaining tables? Please get in touch at events@leannepero.com.
We honestly cannot wait to welcome you all for what is going to be such a special night. 🖤
🎤 Gala host @richiebrave ✨
To wrap it up for Ethnic Cancer Minority Month 2026 we have our last story for the month, thank you for all the love you show our beautiful members.
💗Meet Lasharne.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in her twenties, Lasharne shares how cancer changed the way she sees herself, her future and what truly matters.
Cancer can interrupt your plans, but it doesn’t define who you are.
✨Thank you for sharing with us @sharnesherrese
🎥Filmed by @rhiannonbarker__
As Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we’ve teamed up with the incredible @talkswithdrsesay to remind you all of one important truth:
Whilst Cancer doesn’t discriminate, its outcomes do 🩷
For too many people from Black and ethnic minority communities, unequal access, delayed diagnoses, cultural barriers and systemic health inequalities continue to impact cancer outcomes 🩷
This conversation isn’t about fearmongering. It’s about empowering our communities to recognise the signs and symptoms of cancer, seek medical advice early and get the support they need as soon as possible 🩷
Watch, share and help us keep this conversation going 🩷
Our last coffee morning of the summer 😍 and a FULL house whilst we had the BBC in, filming for something special (watch this space) 🙌🏾
If you or someone you know is going through a cancer diagnosis, navigating treatment, or finding survivorship harder than expected, please know you don’t have to face it alone. 🤎
Our monthly coffee mornings are a safe, welcoming space to connect with others who truly understand. We’d love to welcome you. 🤎
Click the link in our bio to get in touch and a member of our team will be in contact 🤎
Our coffee morning dream team 🤩
Thankyou ladies for all you do! And welcoming everyone who comes through our doors with a hug, smile and cuppa ☕️🤎🤗
We are on a break for the summer but back in September 😍
Here’s our next story for Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month:
💗Meet Monique.
Diagnosed with Breast cancer in 2023. Monique exercised regularly, maintained a healthy weight and had no family history of cancer. Because of that, she didn’t believe the lump she found would be cancer and delayed getting it checked for nine months.
👉🏾Monique’s story is an important reminder that cancer diagnosis doesn’t always show up how we expect.
✨Thank you for sharing with us @wilecat21
🎥Filmed by @rhiannonbarker__
💓 July is Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month.
👉🏾While it’s encouraging to see the stats of more women checking their breasts📈, the reality is that people from ethnic minority communities continue to experience poorer cancer outcomes. There is still much more work to be done‼️
⭐This is why we remain committed to sharing real-life stories, raising awareness, educating our communities, contributing to research, and having the conversations that help shape better policies and services. Just as importantly, we’re creating safe, supportive spaces where people affected by cancer feel seen, heard and understood.🤎
