Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. … Among younger women (under age 45), however, the mortality rate of breast cancer is higher in African Americans than in whites. The median age of diagnosis is 57 years for African American women, compared to 62 years for white women.

Nothing speaks more clearly to the shocking breast cancer health disparities than the fact that Black women are less likely than white women to get breast cancer, yet have a higher breast cancer death rate.

Many women with early breast cancer have no symptoms. That is why it is so crucial to get screened before symptoms have a chance to appear. However, the most common sign of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A painless, hard mass that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous, but breast cancers can be tender, soft, or rounded. For this reason, it is important that you have any new breast mass or lump checked by a health care professional experienced in diagnosing breast diseases.

Other signs may include:

Swelling of all or part of the breast
Skin irritation or dimpling

Pain in the breast or nipple

Thickening of the nipple or breast

Discharge other than breast milk

Make sure you get your mammogram for early detection and treatment.

#breastcancerawareness, mammogram #ujimamagazine #onlinemagazine #magazinelife #celebratingourvision #collectiveworkandresponsibility #healthcare
Ujima Magazine
Information courtesy bwhi.org and sistersnetworkinc.org