Above: Dr. Michelle Loch, Dr. Shawn McKinney, Dr. Donna Williams, and State Representative Patricia Moore

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The Louisiana Cancer Research Center's (LCRC) office of Community Outreach and Engagement provided important breast cancer information to lawmakers at the state capitol for the start of this year's legislative session. Representatives provided information and answered questions about Triple Negative Breast Cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of cancer affecting women. Our state has some of the highest breast cancer rates in the country. Black women develop more new cases of Triple Negative Breast Cancer than White women in Louisiana.

State Representative Patricia Moore extended an invitation to the LCRC and its community partners to raise awareness and share information about the disease to make breast cancer a public health priority.

"Monday’s event was an opportunity to meet with members of the legislative delegation to promote health equity and discuss how we can improve access to healthcare – for Triple Negative Breast Cancer and other cancers that impact Louisianians the most," said Raenique Sylve, LCRC Program Manager- Community Outreach and Engagement.  "Working together with partners throughout our local communities and lawmakers on the state and federal level, we can make a difference in cancer outcomes throughout Louisiana," she said.

Rep. Moore welcomed the contingent which included Donna Williams, LCRC Associate Director of Population Sciences and Community Outreach & Engagement, Associate Professor, Director of Louisiana Cancer Prevention and Control Programs, LSU Health - New Orleans,  and LSU Health New Orleans’ Drs. Michelle Loch and Shawn McKinney.

The LCRC office of Community Outreach and Engagement has planned additional information sessions and workshops across Louisiana.   Newly established "Mini Community Grants" will help raise awareness and engagement in cancer screening events and treatment across regions of Louisiana.  Application and eligibility information is forthcoming.

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