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1797-1883 Aint I a woman?
And ain't I a woman? |
African Caribbean Women United Against Breast Cancer
Information for younger women and the additional concerns they may have if they think they may have breast cancer.
What Every Young Woman Needs to Know About Breast Cancer…
For younger women diagnosed with breast cancer, so many of them are told that they are too young for the disease. We know that premenapausal women, typically 40 and under) have more aggressive cancers and are more likely to be initially misdiagnosed- and that younger women are more likely to die from breast cancer. Yet because the disease is more common in white middle class older women, young women are often called “anecdotal” and made to feel that the extra challenges they face are not worthy of attention.
The despair-and shock- that they go through can seem overwhelming. But there is hope, and its here, in this site. Young African Caribbean women face unique issues simply because of their race, age confronting mortality so early in life, problems with peer support, and intense feelings of isolation-these issues and so many others. Betterdays explores, tackles and explains, providing information that’s been difficult to obtain before now.
For years the medical community has focused on older white middle class women. So, younger African Caribbean women have no support services, networks, and medical information. Older women, for example have specific guidelines to follow to better catch breast cancer early when chances of survival are greatest. But young African Caribbean women have no clear guidelines about what they should do for early detection.
Young women CAN and DO get breast cancer. While breast cancer in young women accounts for a small percentage of all breast cancer cases, the impact of this disease is widespread: There are more African Caribbean women 40 and under in the UK living with breast cancer, and more young women will be diagnosed next year.
But despite the fact that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in woman ages 20 to 50. Many African Caribbean woman and their doctors are unaware that they may be at risk for Basal Type breast cancer. There is no effective breast cancer screening tool for women 40 and under. Young women are often diagnosed at a later stage than their counterparts.
There is very little research or educational material focused on issues unique to this younger population, such as fertility, pregnancy, genetic predisposition, the impact of hormonal status on the effectives of treatment, psycho-social and long-term-survivorship issues, and higher mortality Rates for young women, particularly for African Caribbean’s.
It is important to continue research on young African Caribbean women with breast cancer to better address theses unique concerns. In addition, young African Caribbean women affected by breast cancer need to know that they do not have to deal with their diagnosis alone. There is a community of young African Caribbean women affected by breast cancer that they can turn to: Betterdays cancer care.
Young women diagnosed with breast cancer often feel isolated and have little contact with peers who can relate to what they are experiencing. Fertility, premature menopause caused by chemotherapy, young families, single parent, body image, dating, confronting mortality
For these reasons, Betterdays Cancer care is working to change the face of breast cancer and increase the quality and quantity of life for all young women affected by this disease.