Breast cancer survivors, their friends, family and supporters gathered at Magnolia City Hall last Saturday morning, where they marched as a show of force against the disease, sharing their stories of survival and vital information about the topic.
Event organizer Tracy Harness of the Alcorn State University Extension Service, a breast cancer survivor herself, said the adornment of pink ribbons and events highlighting the disease every October can be an emotional time for those whom the disease has touched.
“For some it triggers a memory, for others, it’s totally life changing,” Harness said. I went through breast cancer over 13 years ago and I am truly honored and blessed to be here. The fight is very important.”
Pastor Yvonne Lewis opened the event with prayer, which she said also is an important part of the fight.
“God is not in the business of making us sick,” she said. “By the blood of Jesus we have been healed.”
Nurse practitioner LaToya Cameron read a list of scary statistics about breast cancer — that one in eight women will be diagnosed, more than 300,000 will be diagnosed in the U.S. over the next year and more than 40,000 will die from it.
But the disease can be beaten, she said.
“When detected early, breast cancer is one of the most treatable cancers,” Cameron said.
She said Black women have a 5% lower incident rate compared to white women, but have a 38-40% mortality rate, meaning they are more likely to die from the disease.
Black women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, “which is the deadliest one.”
“There are some things regarding breast cancer that we can’t change. It’s biological, social and systemic,” Cameron said.
Early detection “transforms lives,” she said.
“It means less invasive treatments and fewer complications and spending more time with your loved ones,” Cameron said.
She said most breast cancer cases are not inherited but are the result of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, alcohol and other factors. Exercising about 150 minutes per week, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol use and eating a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats can help reduce some of the risks, Cameron said.
“If you have a strong family history, talk to your physician about family counseling and genetic screening,” she recommended.
Cameron said women of an average risk for breast cancer should be screened annually starting at 40, then continuing yearly through ages 45-54. After that, screenings every two years are recommended.
“Monthly self exams help you to recognize changes in your bodies,” she said.
While some women delay tests due to costs, fear or time, she said low cost and free options are available.
“Breast cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should we,” she said. “Let us continue to support one another, raise awareness and take action because every life saved is a victory.”
