Research provides the critical foundation to lead and articulate the studies necessary to bridge peer- and professional-based care to ensure the psychosocial needs of increasingly diverse survivors are met.

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The incidence rate of breast cancer for African American women has recently converged with that of non‐Hispanic White women in the United States, although African Americans have a higher mortality rate due to this disease. Although most research exploring health disparities associated with this phenomenon has focused on differences between women based on biology and behavior, both the academic and lay communities have begun to explore the potential role of environmental exposure to estrogen and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This study reviews the current state of the science associating one such means of exposure, hair products containing EDCs, with breast cancer risk in African American women. We found a growing body of evidence linking: (1) environmental estrogen and EDC exposures to breast cancer risk, (2) the presence of such chemicals in personal care products, including hair products, and (3) the use of certain hair products with potential breast cancer risk in African Americans. At the same time, there is also increasing concern in the lay community about this risk. These results indicate the need for additional research, and the opportunity to benefit from strategic partnerships in community‐collaborative approaches in order to better understand the potential “cost of beauty.”

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Summary This paper will present the multiple roles and the impact of cancer advocates. The emerging literature provides evidence for the consideration and integration of African American BC survivors as advocates in practice, policy and research relevant to cancer prevention and control. We present a practical outline for organizational assessment for the inclusion of advocates in these arenas. This assessment can be conducted by all levels of partners, including community advocacy and scientific organizations.