Back on St. Patrick's Day I came across an article which stated that womeni n Ireland had a slightly lower rate of breast cancer than women in the U.S. (1:12 vs. 1:8). The Komen Foundation has astounding statistics on this topic:- While the overall breast cancer mortality rate has steadily declined over the past decade, the mortality rate for minority women in the U.S. has not declined at the same pace. Consider this: Despite a lower incidence rate, African American women have a 32 percent higher death rate then Caucasian women.
- Among women of Hispanic origin, breast cancer is more frequently diagnosed at a later stage, when fewer treatment options are available.
- Only 48.5 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander women 50 years and older in the U.S. have had a mammogram or clinical breast exam within the last two years, the lowest rate of screening among all racial/ethnic groups.
There could be many contributing factors to these statistics; however, there is somthing that each of us can do to help change these disparities. The Komen Foundation has made this very easy for us too. Simply follow this link to contact your member of Congress. Congress can help by providing greater resources to important programs that address the needs of Americans who are disproportionately impacted by cancer. Two such programs are the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, which promotes minority health, with the goal of reducing, and ultimately eliminating, health disparities, and the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which provides screening and outreach to women with little or no health insurance.
Every woman deserves a fighting chance, no matter her race or culture. Spread -hope- today.
