The third weekend of January, I will always hold it in my heart. I was headed home with my best friend to see my mom, and it would be a weekend full of laughter and good food. However, when I got there, she sat me down and told me something I will never forget. During her October mammogram, they found that she had a lump, and it had progressed to stage two breast cancer. The things she said after I don’t remember because my best friend, my sous chef, my partner in fun had cancer. This is my personal connection to breast cancer, but my story is not unique. Breast Cancer affects Black Women across the globe.
Two powerful voices who continue to lead in this space are Dr. LaShonda Spencer, a physician and advocate working at the intersection of HIV care and women’s health, and Bridgette Picou, a certified AIDS Care nurse and national advocate for Black women living with HIV.
Dr. Spencer, who has worked extensively with Black Women through the Black Women First project at AIDS United, shares the hard-hitting numbers that underscore our need for deeper attention to our preventative health efforts. “In our recent Black Women First project looking at the lives of over 700 Black women with HIV; of those eligible for breast cancer screening- only 67.2% of women had screening mammograms. This is consistent with what we see across the United States. Black women are less likely to receive screening which may be some of the reasons Black women have one of the highest death rates from breast cancer- 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. In addition, Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and at advanced stages compared to women of other races.”
Further, Dr. Spencer provides tips for advocating for screenings in appointments with care providers and creating a shared space to make the experience more comfortable. “Black Women should talk to their doctor about their plan to screen for breast cancer. You may need to start screening earlier depending on your family history and other risk factors. Screening may include mammogram or breast ultrasound- your Dr. will decide what is best for you. Take a friend or another female family member to encourage screening in your circle. Detecting cancer early improves outcomes and saves lives.”
Nurse Bridgette Picou (LVN, ACLPN), Melanated Movement Advisory Board Member and Stakeholder Liaison for the Well Project, reminds us that our health journeys are interconnected, especially during this season. “Breast Cancer Awareness month reminds women of the need for mammography and screening by highlighting the relationship between early detection of cancer and better treatment outcomes. The same can be said about HIV testing. Whether the result is that you are HIV negative or positive, knowing your status can help you make healthy decisions about long term health. Women should look at every awareness day and screening reminder to be proactive about their total health and well-being.”
Their voices echo what we already know in our hearts: when we prioritize our health, we protect our joy, our families, and our futures. Now over 10 years later my mother has been in remission and is a proud breast cancer survivor. Every October, we take the time out to celebrate joy, wear pink and remind all our friends to schedule their breast cancer screenings. The importance of yearly mammograms has not changed.
As Black Women, taking charge of our health is at the center of our wellness and resistance in a society that does not always protect Black Women or Women at all. Yearly testing for breast cancer as well as HIV should be in the forefront of our minds. Take time to spread the message of this powerful reminder that Breast Cancer and HIV awareness are not separate conversations, they are both critical parts of a holistic approach to Black Women’s health.