The following information was compiled by S.H.E. Circle - Spirit Health Education Circle - in a pamphlet called Making the Journey.
S.H.E. Circle is a wellness community by and for African American lesbian and bisexual women, and is actually the first national organization doing health programming specifically focused on the health and wellness of African American women who partner with women.
The following is all from Making the Journey, and provides information on breast cancer and breast health, including testimonials, statistics, ideas for developing your own personal prevention plan and more.
I always felt like cancer was stalking my family. Ever since I was Little girl, I had heard gruesome stories of how my grandmother had died of cancer at 52. My mother would often cry because she missed her mother so much. I grew up dreading cancer and the prospect of losing my mother like she had lost hers. Then one day, my mother called me with the news I had always feared. She had breast cancer. I could literally feel my head swirl and the bottom fall out from under me. Death was coming for another famale in my family, and this time it was going to be my mother. Not only was I going to lose her just like she lost her mother, but I knew I would eventually have it too. I was also afraid that I would pass the genes on to every girl child that came from me. It felt so completely hopeless and inevitable.
Luckily, my mother always did breast self-exams, had regular mammograms, and clinical breast exams. They were able to find her cancer very early. In fact, they were able to remove all of it and she didn't have to have any other treatment like radiation or chemotherapy. She beat it. Because she took control of her health she was able to break the cycle of death. She also taught me a valuable lesson - the importance of screening for early detection. Since I have such a strong family history of breast cancer, I had my first mammogram at 35, which was much younger than doctors normally recommend. Every month I check my breasts so that I know what they feel and can notice if there are any changes to them. I also get an annual clinical examination with my physical every year. Things are different from when my grandmother died. Doctors can treat cancer muich better now, especially if it's found early. As black women, it is so important for us to take charge of our own health and get screened. That's what my mama taught me.
-Pamela, age 40
What You Should Know About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the most common cancer occurring in African American women and after lung cancer, the second most common cause of cancer death (Ghafloor, 2002). Too many of us are dying needlessly from breast cancer.
-If diagnosed and treated at an early stage, the cure rate improves dramatically.
-Even though we know all these things, in a study of African American lesbians and women who partner with women done by the Mautner Project, only one out of three practiced monthly breast self examinations (BSE), and only 60% had a clinical breast examination during the previous year. Only half of the women over 40 had a mammogram during the past year (Pearson-Fields, Gaston & Fischer, 2004).
Did You Know?
The actual cause of breast cancer is not known. Although many factors influence the development of breast cancer, most women with breast cancer have no obvious risk. Some of the most common risk factors include:
Age - the risk of developing breast cancer increases as a woman ages but we are more prone to get it at younger ages than white women.
Race - although white women are more likely to develop breast cancer, black women are more likely to die from the disease (Clegg, Hankey & Edward, 2004).
Reproductive History & Pregnancy - starting your period young (before 12 years), late menopause (after 53 years), and having your first pregnancy after age 30 or no pregnancy at all means that you may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Many lesbians may have a higher risk for cancer because they are more likely to have children later (35 years and older) and are less likely to bear children at all.
Lifestyle factors - African American lesbians and bisexual sistahs are more likely to be overweight and obese than white women, and are therefore more at risk for breast cancer. Lack of exercise and too much alcohol (more than one alcoholic drink per day) also play a part in increasing our breast cancer risk.
Personal & Family History - history of breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or colorectal cancer, as well as a family history of breast cancer can increase your risk of breast cancer.
Other Risk Factors - include environmental factors, smoking, stress and some medications. For example, taking certain forms of hormone replacement therapy over a long period of time may increase your risk of developing breast cancer.
Reclaiming Wellness: What You Can Do!
The first thing you should do is assess your own level of risk for developing breast cancer and then find a medical provider you can talk with to review these risks and develop and plan for reducing them. This plan includes things that you can do and things that your provider can help you with.
My Personal Detection Plan!
Touch Yourself!
Do a breast self exam (BSE) every month right after your period ends. Most breasts are lunpy. If yours are lumpy don't panic. Doing BSEs regularly will make you more familiar with your breasts. Knowing your breasts will help you identify changes.
How To!
Raise one arm above your head and using the pads of your fingers start on the outside and work your way in using small circles. Do your self examination in front of the mirror, and lying down. Different positions may lead to different results, which is normal. Become aware of the differences. Look for any unusual puckering or dimples, thickening or change in size, shape or color in your breasts. You should also examine your nipples for any discharge or changes in their direction (i.e. pointing inward).
Increase Exercise
Moderate physical activity for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week will help reduce your risk of breast cancer and other diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Eat Right
Eat at least 2.5 cups of fruits and 2 cups of vegetables a day. Reduce your intake of protein (meat) by eating no more than six ounces during the day.
Alcohol & Tobacco
Limit your intake of alcohol to no more than one glass per day and avoid tobacco smoke.
Decrease Stress
High levels of stress make it difficult for your body to fight off disease.
How Your Doctor Can Help
There are many ways your doctor or other healthcare providers can help you detect breast cancer during its earliest stages when it is most treatable.
Mammograms
A mammogram is a special type of x-ray of your breast. It is designed to find abnormalities such as a mass or growth that migth be cancerous or abnormal microcalcifications. However, not all abnormalities are found during a mammogram and not all abnormalities found are cancer. You may have heard from others that having a mammogram hurts, but having breast cancer hurts even more. A mammogram does involve squishing your breasts between two plates for just a few seconds. But these few seconds of discomfort are well worth it - they could save your life! Once is not enough! If you are 40 years or older - get a mammogram ANNUALLY! Celebrate your life by going every year. Many women go during their birthday month and there are many places that offer free or low cost mammograms.
Clinical Breast Examination (CBE)
Your health care provider will do a clinical breast examination every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and anually for women 40 and older. During this examination your provider will feel and look at your breast and surrounding chest area. They will also examine your underarm and the area around your neck to see if there are any lumps taht might be connected to a problem in your breast. If your doctor does not feel under your arms or around your neck you should ask them to examine those areas.
Yes I Can! Daily Affirmations to Guide Your Journey to Wellness
Caring for ourselves first is hard, especially for black women. Everyday we are asked to care for otehrs who need our help. However, it is important that we make our health a priority. Below are positive health affirmations that may help you put your healthcare needs first. You can say these affirmations out loud, write them down, or simply read them to yourself. Referring back to them regularly will help them become part of your belief system.
There is nothing wrong with taking care of me first, which includes making an appointment for an annual physical and breast examination.
I affirm my right to a healthy body, mind and spirit and can achieve this through getting screened regularly for breast cancer.
I am an active participant in my own healthcare.
I celebrate my commitment to wellness by doing my monthly breast self examinations.
I can reduce my risk for breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight and exercising.
I will celebrate my birthday by having a mammogram.
I am a divine spirit capable of attaining any goal.
I will not ignore my health because I am afraid to know what is happening with my own body.
If You Already Have Cancer
I envision love and light all around me that supports me, nurtures me, and heals me.
I have faith in my ability to beat cancer.
I can handle this crisis to the best of my ability - I don't have to be perfect and I don't have to do it alone. I can ask for and receive help.
My spirit is strong and I will endure.
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