“Know Your Girls” Campaign Aims to Help Black Women Take Charge of Their Breast Health
Black women in the U.S. are 40 percent more likely than white women to die from breast cancer. To address this disparity, the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organization has launched a campaign called “Know Your Girls.”
“The first step to closing this health disparity is to help black women take charge of their breast health by knowing their risk, knowing their bodies, getting screened, and talking with their doctors,” says the organization’s founder, Susan G. Komen. “By giving black women the tools to take charge of their breast health, we hope to help avoid unnecessary breast cancer deaths.”
Safely Skipping Chemo is an Option for Many Breast Cancer Patients
Breast cancer treatment is changing . . . and in a big way! A landmark study suggests that women with a common form of early-stage breast cancer can safely avoid chemotherapy without increasing the risk of recurrence.
The TAILORx study found that genetic testing on tumors could identify women who can safely skip chemotherapy. Rather than enduring the harsh side effects of chemo, such patients can take a drug (like tamoxifen) that safely blocks the hormone estrogen or stops the body from making it.
The results of this study could enable up to 70,000 US patients annually to avoid chemotherapy.
Large Number of Breast Cancer Survivors Not Getting Recommended Mammograms
Following a breast cancer diagnosis, women still need regular screening. However, a recent study shows many women are not following through with getting the recommended screenings they need.
The study followed over 27,000 women after their initial breast cancer surgery. The results showed one year after surgery, 13% of women had NOT had a mammogram. Over five years, only 50% of women had at least one mammogram each year.
The study also found that black women were less likely than white women to get an annual mammogram. “Lack of screening may contribute to higher death rates among black women, because recurrence of breast cancer is a major cause for poor outcomes in black women,” the researchers said.
