I am Celebrating Strength and Health: Breast Cancer Awareness and Heart Health for Women in October
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I am Celebrating Strength and Health: Breast Cancer Awareness and Heart Health for Women in October
Last week, I almost lost my father to his heart stopping. It was 3am Tuesday morning and his heart monitor went offline. Since 2008, he had open heart surgery, and his heart disease has gotten worse. Thanks to the medical doctors in his emergency room, he now has a pacemaker that is helping him. We are extremely grateful to all of you for your prayers and support.
We know that God is a healer. And with this gift, we will spread awareness to anyone we can of the work in the field of breast cancer and heart health.
From my aunt who found a lump and numerous family members with debilitating diseases, I have seen the effects on our bodies with these conditions. It takes a toll on the individual, their family and friends. But not only that, society has transformed in its way of dealing with these conditions, discussions about the American healthcare system and more.
In recent news,
Former MTV VJ Ananda Lewis Says Her Cancer Has Spread After Deciding to 'Keep My Tumor' (people.com)
October is a month dedicated to raising awareness about two critical health issues for women specifically: breast cancer and heart health. As we come together to support and educate, it’s essential to highlight the importance of early detection, share inspiring survivor stories, and recognize the unique challenges faced by Black communities and Black American families.
The Importance of Early Detection
Early detection of breast cancer can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment. Sheila Van Valkenburg’s story is a powerful example. Sheila, a nurse, discovered a small spot during a routine mammogram at age 50. Despite having no family history of breast cancer, she was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. Thanks to early detection, Sheila underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy, and today, she shares her story to encourage others to prioritize regular screenings1.
Heart Health: A Vital Focus
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States, making heart health awareness equally important. Women often experience different symptoms of heart disease than men, which can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Regular check-ups, a healthy diet, and exercise are crucial for maintaining heart health.
Impact on Black Communities
Black women face unique challenges in both breast cancer and heart health. They are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages and have higher mortality rates compared to white women2. This disparity is often due to barriers in access to healthcare, lack of awareness, and socioeconomic factors. Similarly, Black women are at a higher risk for heart disease and often receive less aggressive treatment.
Local Advocacy and Support Groups
Several local advocacy groups are dedicated to supporting Black communities and raising awareness about these health issues:
Sisters Network Inc.: A national organization committed to increasing local and national attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.
The Black Women’s Health Imperative: Focuses on promoting health equity and providing resources for Black women to improve their health outcomes.
American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women: This initiative aims to educate women about heart disease and promote heart health through community events and resources.
Personal Stories of Strength
Sharing personal stories can inspire and educate others. Here are a few more stories of survivors who caught their diagnosis early:
Angela’s Journey: Angela, a mother of two, discovered a lump during a self-exam. Her early diagnosis and treatment allowed her to continue being an active part of her children’s lives.
Maria’s Fight: Maria’s routine mammogram revealed an early-stage tumor. Her proactive approach to her health saved her life and motivated her to become an advocate for early detection in her community.
Taking Action
This October, let’s take action to support breast cancer awareness and heart health:
Schedule Regular Screenings: Encourage women to schedule mammograms and heart health check-ups.
Educate and Advocate: Share information about the importance of early detection and heart health.
Support Local Groups: Get involved with local advocacy groups and support their efforts through donations or volunteering.
By coming together, we can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of women in our communities. Let’s celebrate the strength of survivors and work towards a future where early detection and health equity are the norms.
For more information and resources, visit the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Heart Association.
2: NBC Chicago 1: Valley View Hospital
Iconic Cares: Iconic Partners with The Felecia Killings Foundation for a Heartwarming Holiday Prolife Campaign in ATL
The Iconic/CCM Hurricane Response & Scholarship Awards:
Holiday Prolife Campaign
The Holiday Prolife Campaign, spearheaded by The Felecia Killings Foundation by
Coach Felecia Killings is a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting families during the holiday season. This campaign focuses on providing resources, education, and support to families, ensuring they have the tools they need to thrive. By partnering with this campaign, Iconic is excited to extend our reach and impact even more families.
This year, we are highlighting "First Care Women's Clinic," which has been in the area since 1985. They are a Christian Evangelical non-profit organization.
Suddenly, communities in Atlanta were hit by Helene’s devastating winds and rain causing flooding, power outages and more across this area of GA. Then an explosion happened at the Biolabs in Conyers. A lot has happened over the weekend. Currently, Georgia’s ban on abortion after 6 weeks have been lifted meaning up to 22-weeks now is the cut-off for abortion services. This is why our work at Iconic with the CCM is so important.
Since we were working to help moms already, we decided to add especial emphasis on finishing this campaign because moms in this area now need the additional support. We also want to help give away FREE scholarships to moms in the area to train as leaders in their respective careers.
We at Iconic are stepping up to contribute books and to push the campaign to our audience because we believe in activating to help families especially during national disaster recovery.
How You Can Get Involved
We invite you to join us in this meaningful campaign. Here are a few ways you can get involved:
Donate: Click the link below to give directly
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Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your network to raise awareness and encourage others to get involved.
Understanding Health Disparities: Breast Cancer and Heart Health Specifically in Black American Women
Health disparities among Black American women, particularly in breast cancer and heart health, are a significant concern because of the level of difference between this group and others. These disparities are influenced by a complex interplay of social, economic, and biological factors.
Breast Cancer Disparities
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at later stages and have a 40% higher mortality rate compared to white women1. Several factors contribute to this disparity:
Access to Healthcare: Black women often face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, including lack of insurance, fewer healthcare facilities in their communities, and financial constraints2. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Aggressive Cancer Types: Black women are more likely to develop aggressive forms of breast cancer, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which are harder to treat and have poorer outcomes2.
Socioeconomic Factors: Lower socioeconomic status can limit access to preventive care and early detection services. Additionally, Black women are more likely to experience stress and other social determinants of health that negatively impact their overall well-being2.
Cultural and Social Barriers: Mistrust of the healthcare system, cultural beliefs, and lack of awareness about the importance of regular screenings can also contribute to disparities1.
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Heart Health Disparities
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Black women in the United States. The disparities in heart health are driven by several factors:
Higher Prevalence of Risk Factors: Black women are more likely to have risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which increase the likelihood of developing heart disease2.
Healthcare Access and Quality: Similar to breast cancer, disparities in access to quality healthcare play a significant role. Black women often receive less aggressive treatment for heart conditions and are less likely to be referred for advanced treatments2.
Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors: Living in areas with limited access to healthy foods, safe places to exercise, and high levels of stress can contribute to poor heart health2.
Awareness and Education: There is often a lack of targeted education and awareness campaigns about heart health specifically for Black women, leading to lower rates of preventive care and early intervention2.
Addressing the Disparities
To address these disparities, it is crucial to:
Improve Access to Healthcare: Ensuring that Black women have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare is essential. This includes expanding insurance coverage and increasing the availability of healthcare facilities in underserved areas.
Promote Early Detection and Prevention: Increasing awareness about the importance of regular screenings for breast cancer and heart health can lead to earlier detection and better outcomes. Community-based programs and culturally sensitive education campaigns can be particularly effective.
Support Research and Advocacy: Supporting research that focuses on the unique health needs of Black women and advocating for policies that address health disparities can lead to systemic changes.
Empower Communities: Empowering Black communities through education, resources, and support can help individuals take control of their health and advocate for better care.
By understanding and addressing the root causes of these disparities, we can work towards a future where all women have the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives.
For more information and resources, visit the American Cancer Society and the Black Women’s Health Imperative.
1: American Cancer Society 2: BCRF
Do you have someone you love that needs support or care? How have your family and/or friends been dealing with their medical health? Let us know in the comments so we can elevate their stories.
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My dad has had an absolutely miserable struggle with cancer for the last four years. It is always good to hear of other people's wins when it comes to this vicous disease.