As we near the end of National Breast Cancer Month, it doesn’t mean we put in on the back burner until next October.  It means we should remain diligent in doing our monthly self-breast exams and yearly annual mammograms.  Remember, early detention is the key.  

 

I know some of you use the excuse that you forget to do your monthly self-breast exams.  Why don’t you pick an important date (such as your birth date) and put a monthly reminder in your mobile telephone that it is time to check the tatas.  You put every other type of reminder in your phone….and this one could save your self.

It breaks my heart to hear the number of African-American women that are dying from breast cancer (many needlessly) and many of our  women are getting the more aggressive cancers.  Black women are more likely than white women to get triple-negative breast cancer, a kind of breast cancer that often is aggressive and comes back after treatment. Scientists are doing research to learn why some women are more likely to get this kind of breast cancer, and to find better ways to treat it.  Here are a few facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Compared with white women, black women had lower rates of getting breast cancer (incidence rates) and higher rates of dying from breast cancer (death rates) between 1999 and 2013. During this period, breast cancer incidence went down among white women, and went up slightly among black women. Now, breast cancer incidence is about the same for women of both races.
• The death rate for black women with breast cancer is 40% higher than white women

Below are some steps you can take to lower your risks of getting breast cancer.

• Know Your Risk
• Get Screened.  If you don’t have insurance, please check my website to see where you can get a free screening.
• Make healthy food choices

• Exercise — just move.  It doesn’t have to be fast. Just walk

 

• Know Your Health Numbers    – Monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure and body weight.

 

Last but not least, if you feel something in your breast and are afraid, please reach out to someone you trust.  If afraid to go to the doctor alone, please have someone to go with you.  If I am available, I will be glad to go with you.  You can reach out to me via of email 

Until next time DARE TO LIVE BOLDLY!