Whatever You Want to Call Them…Girls…Lemons…Ta-Tas…..Protect Your Breasts!!!

 

Do African American Women Have a More Aggressive Form of Breast Cancer?

Yes.

Higher Risk of Triple Negative {ER-Estrogen Receptor, Negative. PR-Progesterone Receptor, Negative and Her-2-Neu, Negative} Tumors.

Triple Negative Tumors Occur at an Earlier Age and Have a Higher Mortality (Death) Rate.

Death Rate is 42% Higher in Black Women, Compared to Whites.

 

Why?

1. Often Diagnosed at Later Stage of Disease
2. Poor Access to Screening Mammogram
3. Triple Negative Breast Cancer Diagnosis…..More Aggressive Tumor…..Poorer Prognosis
4. Lack of Health Coverage

 

What Can We Do to Improve Survival of Breast Cancer?

 

1. Monthly Breast Exam
2. Annual Doctor Visits
3. Tell Your Family if You Have Been Diagnosed with Breast Cancer!!!
4. Screening Mammogram, Starting at Age 40, or as Recommended by Your Physician, or Other Healthcare Provider

 

Do African American Women Require Earlier, Before Age 40, Screening MAMMOGRAMS?

It Depends.

Talk to Your Primary Doctor, or Other Healthcare Provider, About Your Personal and Family History.  Depending Upon Your Risk Factors, Your Doctor May Recommend Earlier Screening.

 

Source: www.drbaileyskincare.com

 

****If You Are Higher Risk, Please Talk with Your Doctor, or Other Healthcare Provider, to Determine at What Age to Start Your Screening Mammograms!!!!!*****

 

Source: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org

 

How and When to do Your MONTHLY Breast Exam:

1. Pre-Menopausal (Still Getting A Period)
   1. Plan to do Your Breast Exam 7-10 days after the start of your period, so that there is minimal swelling and discomfort
   2. Start on the outer aspect of the breast and use the flat pads of the Index, Middle and Ring Fingers.  Apply constant pressure and proceed in a circular motion from the outer aspect of the breast, moving toward the nipple as the fingers trace a path from a large circle to a small circle.  MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE THE NIPPLE and AREOLA IN THE EXAM!!!
   3. Do Not Lift Off of the Breast During the Exam…..Otherwise, You May Miss a Small Lump During the Exam.  If You Have to Reposition Your Fingers, Make Sure You Start at the Same Spot Where You Left Off.
2. Postmenopausal (Already Gone Through Menopause)
   1. Plan to do Your Breast Exam the Same Day, Every Month.  First Friday….the 5th….Whatever it is, Stick to that Date.

 

 

If You Are Diagnosed, the Most Common Types and Terms You Will Hear are as Follows:

1. DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
   1. Abnormal Cells Inside the Milk Duct.
   2. The Cells Have Not Invaded Beyond the Milk Duct, Therefore it is ‘Non-Invasive’
2. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma
   1. The Most Common Type of Invasive Breast Cancer
   2. The Cells Have Invaded Beyond the Milk Duct
3. LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
   1. Abnormal Cells in the Lobules/Milk Glands
   2. Uncommon Diagnosis
   3. There is an Increased Risk of Being Diagnosed with Invasive Breast Cancer after this Diagnosis.
4. Inflammatory Breast Cancer…..Data via www.cancer.org
   1. Rare, 1% of all Breast Cancers
   2. Younger Age at Diagnosis, Average 52 vs. 57 for general population
   3. More Common in African American Women
   4. More Common in Overweight/Obese Patients
   5. At least Stage IIIB at Diagnosis, because it has already INVADED THE SKIN
   6. More Aggressive, Higher Recurrence Rate (Cancer Returns After Treatment) and Higher Mortality Rate (57 Month Survival for Stage III, 21 Months for Stage IV)
5. Paget’s Disease
   1. Rare
   2. Involves Nipple and Areola
   3. Usually Occurs in Women Older than 50
   4. There is Usually DCIS or Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Associated with Paget’s Disease
   5. Usually Presents with Flaky/Scaly/Thickened/Hardened Skin of the Nipple/Areola
   6. Inverted Nipple
6. Phylloides Tumor
   1. Rare
   2. Usually Occurs in Women in their 30s and 40s
   3. Usually benign
   4. Tend to Recur (Return After Surgery)