BREAST CANCER OVERCOMER-MAGGIE WILLLIAMS

Chances are you know someone who has battled breast cancer. Mother, Sister, friend, or co-worker, it has affected all of us in one way or another. In this special edition of Red Leaves, we honor and remember breast cancer warriors. We also want to provide education about how breast cancer disproportionately affects Black women, review signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and review screening recommendations. Empowering ourselves with knowledge can help change the narrative regarding this health disparity.

FACTS

Did you know the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States is Breast Cancer? African American women have the highest death rate of all racial and ethnic groups. African American Women are 42% more likely to die of breast cancer than women of other races and are more likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options.

Risk Factors:

Obesity is a key risk factor for developing breast cancer. African American women have the highest rates of obesity or being overweight than another group in the United States. so this contributes to the increase in breast cancer rates that we see in Black women.

Smoking is also a contributing factor. African American women are more likely to be exposed to second -hand smoke than other ethnic groups. Comorbidities having two or more diseases or medical conditions. For example, having diabetes and hypertension.

Signs and Symptoms

- New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit). - Thickening or swelling of part of the breast. - Irritation or dimpling of breast skin. - Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast. - Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area. - Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood. - Any change in the size or the shape of the breast. - Pain in any area of the breast. Screening Recommendations

Mammography is the most effective screening tool used today to find breast cancer in most women. However, the benefits of mammography vary by age. You and your health care provider can discuss what course of action is best for you. The screening recommendations referenced in this article are from the American Cancer Society.