Event: Atelier Sayacare: On the edge of the skin, at the heart of breasts

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we dedicated an afternoon to a precious moment: a space where women of the African diaspora could speak about breast cancer with compassion, clarity, and solidarity. The workshop, “Skin Deep, Breasts Deep”, brought people together around a topic still shrouded in taboo in many communities, while offering concrete tools for better understanding, prevention, and action.

A workshop led by the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation
We were honored to welcome the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, which led this workshop with compassionate and accessible expertise. Their speaker presented the risk factors, the importance of early detection, and the specific realities experienced by racialized women in their healthcare journey.

Thanks to their presence, participants were able to ask all their questions in a safe environment and receive reliable, clear, and tailored information.

We would like to warmly thank the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation for their commitment, professionalism, and for helping to make this meeting a rich space for learning and human connection.

Understanding, Sharing, and Recognizing Each Other
The workshop was marked by a deeply moving testimony from a survivor who courageously shared her journey. This moment opened a circle of sincere discussion, where participants could express their realities, concerns, family experiences, and the silences that still surround the disease. It was a space where words flowed freely, with sensitivity and respect.
A Time for Practical Learning: Self-Examination Techniques
Following the discussions, the Foundation guided the participants in a practical breast self-examination workshop. With calm and pedagogical guidance, they were able to learn essential techniques, understand the signs to watch for, and leave with knowledge they can use throughout their lives.

Creating to Better Understand Each Other
To conclude the activity, a creative session allowed each participant to freely express their emotions and reflections. Writing, collage, symbols, or colors: the participants used art to transform their feelings and reconnect with a sense of inner peace and personal strength.

An Afternoon of Collective Care
Between information, sharing, practical exercises, and free expression, this workshop offered a true space for healing, where women could learn together, support each other, and leave better equipped, but above all, less alone.

SayaCare: A Project Serving Women’s Health and Empowerment
This second workshop is part of SayaCare’s core mission: to reduce health inequalities and create spaces where women of the African diaspora can share, learn, and feel empowered in their healthcare journey. Supported by the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the program combines workshops, resources, a podcast, and a practical guide to strengthen health autonomy.

Thanks to the collaboration with the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation, this edition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) amplified the importance of prevention, information, and collective support.