Staying On Top of Breast Cancer Awareness with Black Health Matters and Eli Lilly and Company
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released that Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women. One in eight women born today will have breast cancer in their lifetime, however, many women still lack proper education on breast health.
Eli Lilly & Company has partnered up with Black Health Matters to launch a breast cancer awareness and education program to raise awareness and educate, both, women and men about the importance of breast health and breast cancer screenings in Black communities.
Rates of breast cancer are about the same for Black and white women, however, Black women are 20% to 40% more likely to die from this disease. Cases of breast cancer in Black women are often diagnoses later, which only advances the disease, leading to a more aggressive form of breast cancer. \
Having your breast regularly checked for signs of cancer is an extremely vital step in taking care of one’s health. In fact, many breast cancer screening tests can detect cancer long before one may notice any symptoms. The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging has advised that Black women start getting mammograms earlier, no later than thirty years old.
Ultimately, women of all races and ethnicities should become proactive about their breast health. If you’re unsure where to start in breast screening, talk to your health care provider about your family health history and risk facts to help them determine your best screening plan.
Women at average risk of breast cancer include those without a personal history, a strong family history, or a genetic mutation know to increase the risk of this disease. Recently, the American Cancer Society updated their breast cancer screening guidelines for women at average risk for this disease. Updated guidelines are:
- Women between 40 to 44 can begin screening with a mammogram every year.
- Women between 45 and 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older can reduce mammograms frequency to every other year or continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
By asking community organizations, health advocates, and health care professionals to come together, Eli Lily & Company and Black Health Matters hope to increase health literacy and access to care. The campaign will be launching at the beginning of Breast Cancer Month in October.
The Los Angeles Sentinel is thrilled to announce a partnership with Eli Lili & Company and Black Health Matters, a trusted health, wellness, and chronic disease platform dedicated to improving the health of the Black community. This breast cancer awareness series is designed to increase awareness of breast health among communities of color. For more information on how to join the fight visit: https://www.conditions.lillytrialguide.com/.
