Page 15 - 5-15-15 Friday's Edition

Feature
Mammograms Are Not Just A ‘One Time Screening’
(L-R) Josette Toulme, Linda Paige, Martine Dorvil and Joyce Austin.
your family history. Remember only a small percentage of breast cancer cases are due to family history, so it is important for all women to be screened.
Know What Is Normal For You
• Know how your breast normally look and feel; this will help you to know if there are any changes. Look for any changes like; dimpling, inverted nipples, swelling, redness, scal- iness, a nipple that leaks, lumps not only in your breast area, but also your armpit. Let your doc- tor know of any changes that you may notice.
Get Screened
• The American Cancer So- ciety recommends that prefer- ably every 3 years women in
their 20s and 30s have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular health exam by a health care professional. Starting at age 40, women should have a CBE by a health professional every year.
• The American Cancer Soci- ety also recommends that women ages 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and continue mam- mography screening as long as they are in good health. Women who have a high risk or family history should discuss having a mammogram at an earlier age with their healthcare profes- sional.
The Mammography Motiva- tional Committee and Moffitt Cancer Center are committed to improving the health of the community. They are working
to intentionally motivate Black women to take action and get regular mammography screen- ings.
If you or someone you know is interested in scheduling a workshop or need assistance in accessing mammography screenings please call 813.745.4306.
The committee says, “We cannot be silent. Take the time to know your body, be the best you can be about “YOUR” health!”
Task Force Members are:
Joyce Austin, Martine Dorvil, Bridgette Johnson, Jackie Joseph, Josette Toulme, Linda Paige and Venessa Rivera Colon, Mof- fitt Program for Outreach Well- ness Education & Resources Moffitt Cancer Center.
As active community mem- bers we often ask the question, “Did you get your mammo- gram?”, but the real question is “When was the last time you had your mammogram?” Get- ting a mammogram one time is not enough, and following up one time is not enough.
Who Are We?
This is a diverse group of Black women leaders and breast cancer survivors, who are con- cerned about the low breast cancer screening rates in the Black communities. They are the Mammography Motivation Task Force, started by the out- reach staff at Moffitt Cancer Center. Our campaign is called “Empower You: Good Screen- ing. Good Health.”
Partnering with community members and agencies, they are committed to reducing breast cancer disparities among Black women. As a committee their goal is to encourage Black women ages 40 and older who have never had a mammogram or who are overdue for a mam- mogram, to schedule one and continue on a regular basis.
Did You Know?
• According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Black women have a lower incidence rate for breast cancer; but they have a higher death rate from breast cancer. Fewer Black women are getting cancer, but they are dying more often. This is considered a health disparity.
• Finding a breast cancer early is your best chance of sur- vival. When a breast cancer is found in a later stage, you have fewer treatment options. There are many who were diagnosed with breast cancer and “moved” into action! There are many breast cancer survivors. Follow- ing up with an abnormal finding is “EXTREMELY” important.
Recommendations:
Know Your Family History
• Take time to talk with fam- ily members and ask if anyone in the family has had breast cancer or any other medical conditions. Just a few minutes during a family reunion or get together is a great time to learn your family “health history”.
• Talk to your doctor about
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-B