Pastor Tammy Harris: Overcoming Breast Cancer and Breaking the Silence

Pastor Tammy Harris is celebrating a victory over breast cancer, a journey she describes as the longest of her life. “I’m feeling like an overcomer. I think I’m finally at a place where I am feeling good about what’s next in my life,” she shared.

The Des Moines pastor’s battle began in October 2023 when a routine mammogram detected a mass. Following surgery and weeks of radiation, Harris chose to keep her diagnosis private due to cultural stigmas within the Black community surrounding illness. “We don’t talk about that stuff. It’s a tragedy for us,” she explained.

A Stark Reality: Breast Cancer Disparities in Black Women

Unfortunately, Harris’ experience highlights a troubling reality. According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Black women face a 38% higher death rate from breast cancer despite being diagnosed at the same rate as white women.

“If we can find breast cancer at the early stage whether you are White, Hispanic, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, the survival rate is all about the same, but with every stage of cancer, Black women have a higher mortality,” said Dr. Susan Beck, a general surgeon at MercyOne and Harris’ breast surgeon. “She has a calling, I think. To be out there to tell women, ‘I’ve gone through this,'” Dr. Beck added, smiling.

Finding Purpose in the Struggle

Harris is now using her experience to break the silence surrounding illness within her predominantly Black congregation at Elpis Christian Fellowship. During a recent Breast Cancer Awareness Month service, members wore pink in support.

“That’s my quest to publicly share my testimony with them,” Harris said. “I’m a champion for it now. I’ve accepted it. I’ve gotten to the place that if God allowed me to have cancer, then there is a purpose for me.”

Early Detection Saves Lives

Doctors recommend women begin their mammograms at age 40 unless they have a family history of breast cancer, which requires earlier screening.

Pastor Harris’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and open conversations about health within our communities.

**Take action today:** Schedule your mammogram and talk to your loved ones about the importance of breast cancer awareness.