Our Precious Pearls Part 2: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Given Americans’ and the media’s fascination with breasts, it’s not surprising that the American Society of Plastic Surgeons cited breast augmentation as the No. 1 most performed surgical procedure in the U.S. in 2007. With so much attention being paid to boobs, it is also not surprising to learn that women are more focused on breast image than breast health. To date, African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. The disparity is attributed to “socioeconomic disparities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, economic and social barriers to high quality prevention, early detection and treatment services and impact of racial discrimination on all of these factors,” according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Breast cancer occurs mostly in women, and is highly curable when detected at an early stage. Breast cancer that metastasizes (spreads beyond the breast), is more difficult to treat and increases the likelihood of a poor outcome.

According to the American Cancer Society, aggressive tumor characteristics are more common in black women than in white women.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure suggests:
See your health care provider right away if you notice any of these breast changes:
. Lump, hard knot or thickening
. Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening
. Change in the size or shape of the breast
. Dimpling or puckering of the skin
. Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
. Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
. Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
. New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and limit alcohol intake.

Get screened:
Ask your doctor which screening tests are right for you. If you are at a higher risk, have a mammogram every year starting at age 40. If you are at average risk, have a clinical breast exam at least every three years beginning at age 20.
–yvette caslin