Stop It Before It's Too Late!
Recent Studies Show Increase In
Breast Cancer Among Black Women
By Freda Springs
Public Relation! Manager - Carolina Metotp
Although the number of cases of breast
caneer has not changed dramatically in the
last 50 years, programs aimed at early detec
tion have increased the number of cancers
that are caught early. As a result, the num
ber of deaths among women of all races
who have participated in successful screen
ing programs has been reduced 30 to 40 per
cent.
However, African-American women
still have a higher risk of dying from breast
cancer than any other cancer. One reason is
that breast cancer in black women is often
found when the disease has spread and is
more difficult to treat.
According to the National Black
Women's Health Project, minority women
across the country are not receiving screen
ing mammograms and their death rate from
breast cancer is rising. In fact, half of all
African-American women surveyed have
never heard of mammography and only 30
percent over age 40 have had a mammo
gram. In contrast, 65 percent of all
American women over 40 have had mam
mograms.
"The combination of self-examination,
regular examination by physician and mam
mography can help reduce the number of
deaths from breast cancer and increase the
number of cancers that are detected earlier fH
said Dr. Harold Pollard, a gynecologist at
Forsyth Memorial Hospital. ^
It's important for you to be checked by
your physician regularly - at least once a
year and more often 4Muiything suspicious
~ is found.
When a woman turns 40, she should
have a mammogram every one to two years
and, when she turns SO, once a year. In addi
tion, her physician should examine her
breasts annually and she should examine her
"... Most women
realize mammography
is safe and effective
- Dr. Harold Pollard
own breasts monthly.
"Depending on certain risk factors,
your doctor may recommend you have a
mammogram at an earlier age and, possibly,
have mammograms more often," Pollard
said. "Mammography might also be done at
an earlier age if you or your doctor find
something suspicious during an examina
tion."
The first mammogram most women get
is called baseline, and this is often compared
with later mammograms. Later mammo
grams are called screening mammograms if
you have no symptoms and diagnostic mam
mograms if you have symptoms
Pollard acknowledges that certain barri
ers have kept some women from getting
mammograms.
"In the past, there was some reluctance
on the part of physicians to recommend
screening mammograms," Pollard said.
"They weren't sure that it really made a dif
ference. They didn't realize its effective
Tamoxifen Being Studied
To Reduce Breast Cancer
By Freda Springs
Public Relations Manager - Carolina Medioorp
A national study of a drug that may
help prevent breast cancer in high risk
women is still going on at The Women's
Center at Forsyth Memorial Hospital.
When the study of the drug Tamoxifen
was launched in 1992, it became the first
large-scale study of a drug to prevent can
cer.
Researches have shown that taking
Tamoxifen after surgery for breast cancer
may prevent the development of new can
cers in the opposite breast. This study seeks
to determine if the same drug can reduce the
risk of breast cancer in high-risk women.
Women, age 35 and older, who are at
increased risk for developing breast cancer
are eligible to participate.
More specifically, women 60 years of
age and older are automatically eligible to
participate. Women 35 to 59 years of age
must have a risk of breast cancer that is
equal to or greater than the average risk of a
60-year old woman. Risk factors include the
number of first-degree relatives (mother,
sister, daughter) who have had breast can
cer, whether the woman has had any chil
dren and her age at her first delivery, the
number of breast lump biopsies a woman
has had, and her age at her first menstrual
period.
According to the National Cancer
Institute, about 1.5 million women in the
United Slates will be diagnosed with breast
cancer and almost half a million will die of
the disease over the next ten years.
For more information about how you
can participate in the Tamoxifen study, call
Forsyth Memorial Hospital at 760-0122.
Having Your Picture Taken
? Can Save Y>ur Life.
A mammogram is just that ? a picture of the breast that
can save your life
As an African American woman, you have
a higher risk of dying from breast cancer than
any other cancer A mammogram, or breast
most treatable stages
Call before Labor Day to receive
The Gift Of Good Health.
At The Women s Center for Breast
Care, a screening mammogram takes
only a few minutes and it's just $45 *
And, if you call before Labor Day to
schedule a mammogram for anytime
during 1993 you'll receive The Gift
of Good Health a $6 reduction in
the low cost of a mammography
screening
So make an appointment to
have your picture taken' today
Call 765-5303 or ask vour doctor
to set an appointment for you
* If you Kit* hrw I implants plea se call for
more information about the s creating pro
cedure anJ cosf
(T/fc*
s Center
Breast Care
W'msLmSlifltt S( 27iO}*7fi5-SK)1
ness. They were also concerned about the
risk of radiation. For the most part, it
appears that these concerns are behind uul
Most women realize mammography is safe
and effective."
Cost is another barrier, especially since
women should have mammograms regular
ly, he said. Some breast screening facilities
are now attempting to contain costs, and
some insurance companies, whether volun
tarily or in response to legislation, have
started covering the cost of mammograms.
Women also don'i get mammograms
because they fear having the procedure, they
fear any discomfort, and Lhey fear the
unknown.
"Patients worry that something might
be found," Pollard said
"But, I always say, balance that fear
with the difference a mammogram can make
and you'll probably make the rational deci
sion to get a mammogram on a regular
basis. Education is always the best way to
handle fear."
Donations Needed Within
the Black Community
By Roger R oilman
Bowman Gray School of Mediant
Carolina Lifccarc, the organ procure
ment program at the Bowman Gray/Baptist
Hospital Medical Center, has formed a com
mittee of black health professionals to devel
op strategies that encourage African
Americans to donate organs and tissues.
According to Sharon Haney, a Carolina
Lifecare recovery coordinator, the entire
nation faces a significant shortage of donat
ed organs and tissues. - .
Ms. Haney explains that there are
31,000 Americans currently awaiting trans
plants and 7,000 of those people are African
Americans. Nine hundred of those waiting
for a transplant live in North Carolina.
There are 140 people in our region
awaiting a kidney transplant and over half
are African Americans. Blacks have a
greater need for kidney transplants for a
number of reasons, including having a high
er incidcnce of high blood pressure resulting
in a greatly increased chance of kidney fail
ure.
But even with the desperate need for
organs to help black Americans, there is a
reluctance among the nation's African
Americans to donate organs.
Ms. Haney, who is a graduate of
WSSU's school of nursing, said that public
education about the need for organs is an
important step in solving the national organ
shortage.Ms. Haney also notes that all major
religions support organ donation.
As a member of the black community,
you have an opportunity to help other blacks
lead healthier, more productive lives.
By learning the facts about organ and
tissue donation, by discussing your wishes
with your legal next of kin and by signing a
uniform donor card and placing it with your
driver's license, you can make a difference.