Breast Cancer Among African American Women.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and BCG is going Pink for the rest of the month starting today!

All around the nation there are different events, fundraisers and walks taking place in order to support survivors and bring awareness to the cause. Breast cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women. An estimated 6,040 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2011. The incidence rate of breast cancer among women under 45 is higher for African American women compared to white women. With statistics like this we are encouraged to uplift one another and take part in Saving the Ta- Tas!

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. An estimated 26,840 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2011. The overall incidence rate of breast cancer is 10% lower in African American women than in white women. Among younger women (under age 45), however, the incidence is higher in African Americans than in whites. Breast cancer incidence rates increased rapidly among African American women during the 1980s, largely due to increased detection as the use of mammography screening increased. Incidence rates stabilized among African American women aged 50 and older during 1995-2005, while rates decreased by 0.7% per year among women under age 50 from 1991-2005.

Some Breast Cancer Facts:

An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2009.
The overall incidence rate of breast cancer is 10% lower in African American women than white women.
African American women have a five year survival rate of 77% after diagnosis as compared to 90% for white women.

Source: American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures for African American 2009-2010

What you can do:

Please join BCG and our partner Sister Network for a wonderful Twitter forum all about the cause! Save the date, October 12th and use of the following hashtags for the cause!

HashTags we’re tracking during our Twitter Forum!
#BCGFightsBreastCancer
#SelfAwareness
#StopTheSilence
#FindACure
#SistersBreastCancer
#BreastCancerSurvior