AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN
AND BREAST CANCER
By Ms. Sammie Ward
At age 37, Michelle was given devastating news. She has breast cancer. She’d gone to her health care provider after discovering a lump under her left arm, during her monthly self-examination. How could this happen to me? She wanted to know. She was under 40, maintained a proper diet, worked out three times a week, didn’t drink or smoke, and there isn’t a history of the disease in her family.
Like Michelle, every year, 95 out of 100,000 African-American women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and an increasingly number of these women are under 40. The fact is, although, white women develop breast cancer at a higher rate, African-American women die from breast cancer at a higher rate than white women.
The reason for this is, African American women are more likely to be diagnosed when the disease is at an advance stage, low income cancer patients are less likely to survive even if they are diagnosed early, because they are likely to receive the same levels of treatment. Also, the type of tumor cells in African-American women grow more rapidly, leading to a more aggressive cancer.
WHAT IS BREAST CANCER?
Cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the breast. The breast which is made of milk sac (lobes) and channels (ducts) drain to the nipple. The abnormal cells form in the milk producing glands. The cells then form a mass called a tumor and can spread into other parts of the body; the underarm lymph nodes, lungs, liver, heart, bones, and the brain.
DETECTION
It is not clear what causes breast cancer or how to prevent it. The best way to survive the disease is to discover it early. A regular mammogram is a form of early detection. A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breast. It can detect breast cancer that is too small for you or your health care provider to discover. If you are between the ages of 20-39 it is recommended that you have a mammogram every three years. If you are 40 or older, you should have a mammogram annually. Recent study show as you get older, so does your chances of breast cancer.
Another form of detection is to practice monthly self breast exams. Women age 20 years or older should perform a exam every month. If you have not reached menoause, examine your breast 7 to 20 days after your period. If you have reached menopause, set aside a day each month easy to remember for your monthly self-examination.
EARLY WARNINGS SIGNS TO WATCH FOR ARE:
A lump or thickening in the breast or the underarm. (75-80% of breast lumps are benign)
Discharge of fluid from the nipple.
A change in the color or feel of the skin of the breast or nipple.
The appearance of prominent veins on the breast surface.
RISK FACTORS FOR BREAST CANCER
Gender: Being a woman put you at risk. However, men have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Age: The risk of developing breast cancer increase with age. The majority of breast cancer occur in women over age 50.
Genetic: There is an increase risk among women having a close relatives with breast cancer. (mother, sister, or daughter)
Hormones: Starting menstrual at an early age (before 12) and late menopause (after 55) increase the risk of breast cancer.
Having no children or your first child after the age of 30.
Hormone replacement may slightly increase your risk for breast cancer.
LIFESTYLE
A high dietary fat and obesity may increase the chances of developing breast cancer.
Excessive alcohol.
Physical inactivity (lack of excercise)
Exposure to radiation, certain pesticides, active or passive tobacco smoking, and water and food contaminants
TREATMENT FOR BREAST CANCER
There are two types of treatments for patients to consider: Local treatment, which is to the breast and surrounding area in an effort to keep the tumor from reoccurring. Surgery and Radiation are two types of local treatments.
Surgery: in the form of lumpectomy (when one or both breast is removed)
Radiation treatment: high energy x-ray given to kill tumor cells that may remain in the breast, chest wall, or lump nodes following biopsy or surgery.
Systematic Treatment: Chemotheraphy and hormonal treatment is given to keep the tumor from returning in other area of the body.
For further information on breast cancer contact.
National Cancer Institute
(800) 4-Cancer
American Cancer Society
(800) ACS-2345
www.cancer.org
