What if we could share some information that could help us and our sisters live longer? Would we? Information that may lead to a longer, healthier life can be as easy as reminding a sister to get a breast exam. How could it be that simple? Well, consider this. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) July 24/31 issue released information that shows there are differences between the diagnosis phase and treatment phase between black women and white women who have breast cancer. It simply takes black women longer to get treated for breast cancer and black women with breast cancer die sooner than white women with breast cancer. Although it is not known why black women with breast cancer live shorter lives, the study reveals that there is more time between diagnosis and treatment for black women than white women. The time from diagnosis to treatment for black women was 29 days compared to 22 days for white women.
So, when comparing a selected group of black women, and selected groups of white women on the common grounds of age, where they live, types of tumors, treatments, health conditions and other factors, the study revealed white women of the same age, diagnosed with breast cancer the in the same year and living in the same part of the country, lived one year longer than black women.
Other findings included:
• Black women with breast cancer were more likely not to have any treatment than white women with breast cancer,
• Within the first three months from diagnosis, 5.8 percent of blacks did not seek treatment and 2.5 percent whites with common demographics did not seek treatment within the first three months.
• Differences in the treatment for breast cancer do not explain why black women don't live as long as white women with breast cancer,
We may not be able to control breast cancer, but we can do our part to encourage each other to do routine breast care for prevention. The earlier breast cancer is found and treated, the greater the chances are to live a longer, healthier life. So, sisters, especially 40-years-old and older, consider getting a mammogram and, then, encourage another sister to do the same.
Want to know the details about the study? Click here.
