New Facts on Black Women and Breast Cancer

October 16th, 2011 - By Brande Victorian

An estimated 6,040 black women’s lives are expected to be lost to breast cancer in 2011 and a total of 26,840 new cases of the disease will be seen among us by the end of the year. Breast cancer is one of those things we hear about so regularly that we tend to ignore it because we think we already know it all. But disregarding new information could severely affect our health down the line.

As we recognize breast cancer awareness this month, it’s time to take a new look at how breast cancer affects us and what we can do to minimize its impact.

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  • reana

    I’m an african american woman who has a family history of breast cancer! It is also common for it to skip a generation also. My grandmother had it, my aunt didn’t but the my cousin passed away at 36. It really depends on how you approach and family history. I have never been to any OBGYN doctor/office suggest not to have a mammogram in their 20′s. That’s just absurd! Know your history and take care of yourself.

    Secondly I read the link and there are different reasons and types of ways to detect breast cancer!

    I found this statement interesting:
    A common practice has been to recommend that a BRCA mutation carrier begin breast cancer screening at age 25. At UCSF’s Cancer Risk Program, where counselors and physicians advise and care for women who carry these cancer risk genes, the recommended screening protocol is a mammogram, alternating with a breast MRI, at six-month intervals. Beattie says she and her colleagues are discussing the possibility of dropping the mammography component for women under 30 or 35. This is based on a program not a reason why not to be screened.

    • Lovelacegeneral

      I am 29 years old and have been fighting with Dr’s for years to check my breast.  I found my first lump at 21 in my left breast.  # Dr’s told me that they would not performa mamm on me because I was only 21.  Since then i have doen my research and have had several mamms performed.  I should not take BC with my history (mom, aunt, grandmother, great aunt, all had breast cancer.  All passed except my aunt by the age of 55)  With me knowing this hidtory they would not, but I am my best advocate.  So, I do not think  that the other person is too far off because it has also happened to me.  Something about dense breast tissue the younger you are so an ultrasound is better on younger women than a mamm. 

  • Old soul

    Thanks @ brande victorian

  • Old soul

    Regardless of age are women under the age of 35 given mammograms?

    • Brande Victorian

      Clinical breast exams in which a healthcare professional feels for lumpsin a woman's breast area play a role in early diagnosis for women under 35. There are some risks associatied with mamograms which is why they aren't recommended for younger women, breast MRI exams may be an option. http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2009/03/8163/mammograms-…

  • Old soul

    @Wilma I am actually a 20yr female at one of the finest HBCUs around, do I sound that educated? And how is that hatred, wake up and realizing what’s happening in America.

  • Old soul

    This article was very interesting, but I share a few concerns. I am a twenty year black female with a family history of breast cancer, yet since I am not thirty five years old I can not receive a mammograph. HOw can we desire to diagnose breast cancer in it’s earlier stages when we won’t perform mammograms on younger women? In addition, our “traditional” values are completely rational. Oral contraceptives such as birth control were invented to stop black minorities from reproducing. Its an fear that European people have of being genitically eradicated so they attempt to do “black population control”. So it’s not surprising that birth control is causing cancer as well.

    Stay blessed my queens

    • Wilma

      You are not 20 yrs old. Stop it. Stop spewing hatred also..

  • womenar4

    I knew our statistics were not good but at least there are signs of improvement. I have shared this article on both my personal and fan facebook pages. ~www.womenaregamechangers.com