Each October our eyes are literally filled with pink, rather it’s watching an NFL football game, at work, restaurants, airlines, you name it everyone is rocking pink. Since I was about 12, my mom has been walking in breast cancer walks, hosting events, and twice has done a 60 mile walk for the cause. It is a cause of such importance to all communities but has an inedible impact and black women who are dying at a much higher rather than our white counterparts. One would only ask why is that? According to published reports from the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Black Women’s Health, the number one reason is late detection and care. We should not only be concerned with Breast Health in October but 365 days a year, this is our lives ladies and gents and we must take care of our body. Below are some facts on Breast Cancer and some take care tips. Please share this story with your friends and family, together we can all be informed and take the steps to stay healthy!
The Facts:
- Every 14 minutes, a life is lost to the disease.
- Over 40,000 people will die this year; about 400 of them will be men.
- 85% of all diagnoses have no family history.
- 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- Breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women between ages 40 and 55.
- Every 2 minutes, there is a new breast cancer diagnosis.
The growing breast cancer disparities that exist between Black women and white women are alarming. Although the overall lifetime risk of breast cancer is lower for Black women compared with white women, the death rates are higher. It is important to note that Black women also have a lower 5 year survival rate at 77% compared to that of 90% for white women. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, younger Black women up to age 44 have a higher incidence of breast cancer than white women, (U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2006 Incidence and Mortality www.cdc.gov/uscs).
Self-Care Tips:
Early detection is critically important, especially for women at higher risk. For Black women who have been diagnosed at the earliest stage of breast cancer when the tumor is small and localized, early diagnosis can make a difference.
For most of us, early detection and diagnosis are attainable with a few easy steps:
- Have your provider show you how to perform monthly breast self-examination (BSE) and perform it faithfully at the same time each month.
- See your provider for a clinical breast examination (CBE) at least once a year.
- Have regular mammograms. Since breast density is one of the strongest risk factors for Black women developing breast cancer, insist on digital mammography or some of the newer more advanced technologies that help detect tumors
- Learn more about what the Imperative is doing to make breast cancer disparities a priority through our national campaign to end breast cancer disparities, Moving Beyond Pink and sign up for becoming an advocate in your organization and community.
For more information visit Black Womens Health.
