|
As Colorado women prepare to participate in the 2005 Susan G. Koman Race-for-the-Cure, breast cancer remains the second highest cause of death for all women. Men will participate in the walk as well, and some of them will be breast cancer survivors. Although the incidence of breast cancer in men is low, when breast cancer is detected it is likely to be at a higher stage because men don’t normally check themselves for abnormalities. American women have a 12.5 percent, or 1 in 8, chance of developing cancer in their lifetime according to the American Cancer Society. African American women, although less likely to develop breast cancer than other women, are more likely to die from it than all other women. Ongoing research is being conducted to determine if there are any specific genetic links or factors that are more specific to African American women than other women that may be the cause of the disparity. However, it is a fact that the majority of deaths from breast cancer disease in African American women are preventable through early detection.
A disproportionate number of African American women are uninsured or underinsured. Health care providers and advocates are constantly searching for innovative ways to disseminate information to at-risk women, but continue to run up against roadblocks. Some of these roadblocks are based on fear, distrust, and myths which all must be addressed sensitively. However, these roadblocks remain some of the biggest frustrations for those trying to bring about awareness.
The Division of Cancer Prevention and Control through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is fighting to reduce deaths through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Foundations like The Susan B. Koman Foundation are engaged as well, by providing funding to organizations like the AVON Foundation Breast Cancer Fund and others, who support national and local community groups with grants to raise awareness of early detection of breast and cervical cancers. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Act is a law that permits state Medicaid programs to provide medical services to women who are at-risk and are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
Locally, various organizations such as the Colorado Women’s Cancer Control Initiative (CWCCI), a division of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Metro Denver Black Church Health Initiative, the ANGEL Network (African American Women Nurturing and Giving Each other Life) and the Women’s Mobile Unit at Denver Health, are all doing their part to bring about awareness of early detection of breast and cervical cancer by providing education, screenings, and examinations, specifically for at-risk women, and all women in general.
Long-time advocate of breast cancer awareness and Community Health Educator/Coordinator for the CDPHE and Recruitment Coordinator for CWCCI, Bev Reddick-Jenkins, spends a large portion of her time trying to persuade African American women who qualify to get free cervical and breast cancer screenings. However, African American women remain "apprehensive of taking advantage of something that’s free," Reddick-Jenkins said. A 12-year breast cancer survivor, Reddick-Jenkins doesn’t understand why African American women are not taking advantage of the free breast and cervical cancer screenings in greater numbers. "Our mortality rate hasn’t gone down and is still almost double of other women. I’m tired of being a statistic and seeing our mortality rate being so high with breast cancer," said Reddick-Jenkins, "especially when it is preventable." Everywhere Reddick-Jenkins goes she usually has a car trunk full of posters, pamphlets, flyers, and certificates for free breast exams to area clinics. She drops them off at churches, passes them out at job fairs, unemployment centers, and any other place where people gather. Reddick-Jenkins keeps informed of the latest information on breast cancer awareness and looks for opportunities to partner with other organizations such as Women’s Mobile Services.
Sharon Hartman is the Special Project Manager of Women’s Mobile Services through Denver Health. For three years now, Hartman has visited eight Metro Denver community clinics three days a week in a 40 foot long mobile unit which was purchased through a grant from the AVON Foundation, the University of Colorado, CWCCI, and others. Inside the mobile unit professional healthcare providers give women mammograms and cervical exams. Women who receive mammograms are qualified through the age requirement or because they have a background of previous cancer. During the other two days of the week every woman who comes through the mobile unit receives case management where they are provided with further education, questions are answered, and follow-ups are done. When a client’s results reveal the presence of cancer a case manager will help the client navigate through the process of the next steps to be taken. "It may be as simple as walking them down for a second mammogram. They may just need another view. We will walk them through it," said Hartman, until they are turned over to the breast and cervical group for further treatment." In most cases there’s no cancer," she said.
To date over 7,000 women have obtained services through the mobile unit. Women who are uninsured or underinsured can obtain a mammogram, and in some cases, cervical exams at no cost.
The mobile unit takes its services to correctional facilities and are able to service 20 women in a day, which has proven to be more cost effective than bringing the women to a health care facility. "We like to partner with different agencies and organizations. If you can help us park our van you’ll help us serve your clients," Hartman said. Hartman will be taking the van to Our Savior Episcopal church in October at their request.
The mobile unit is fully functional as if the client were visiting a hospital or clinic. The mobile unit makes it easier for women to receive their services by coming to them in their own neighborhoods. According to Hartman, once the unit is parked, the van is leveled so everything works properly. "When you walk in the van women are registered in order to capture primary identifying information." The clerk taking the information is bilingual in order to service a greater number of clients. The client then sees the care provider who performs the breast exam, or pap and pelvic exam if they qualify."
Hartman’s biggest concern is getting the word out about their services to those who need it. "They have to initiate that call. Women take care of everyone and then fail to take care of themselves," said Hartman.
|
|
The ANGEL Network has as its mission a goal of reducing "the number of deaths within the African American female population by offering early-detection programs, access to screening, and empowering African American women on breast health practices so that they will take an active part in their own health care." One of the ways they accomplish this goal is by providing Breast Health Awareness Certification programs. Once women become trained and certified they are provided with the tools and information necessary to educate others on how to perform Breast Self-Exams (BSE) and make sure women are well-informed when they go for their Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) with a physician or nurse practitioner.
A woman demonstrates how to give self breast
exams with plastic breast molds, each one with
varying degrees of lumps to show what
a woman should look for.
In the early ‘90s, The Metro Denver Black Church Initiative was organized. In 2001 the Faith and Health Ministries grew out of this organization. "We felt the need to teach and correct issues about health in the African American community due to disparities in health care, and address disease prevention," said registered nurse Mella Dee Warren. Since 2001, the Black Church Initiative has been providing education in the areas of breast cancer and prostrate cancer awareness, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiac problems and glaucoma--all diseases that are major health issues for the African American community. In mid-September the Faith and Health Ministries partnered with the ANGEL Network, based in Colorado Springs, to bring their certification program to the headquarters of the Metro Denver Black Church Initiative in northeast Denver and conduct a certification program. The four-hour session was attended by members from various churches and the community at large, along with members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Several of the women in attendance were nurses as well as breast cancer survivors.
In the workshop women discussed myths versus facts about breast cancer as well as some of the reason women don’t do BSEs and don’t get mammograms. Fear of cancer, cultural differences, and miseducation were a few of the familiar excuses women give for not doing a BSE or getting a mammogram. Allison O’Neal, Project Director of the ANGEL Network and B.J. Cameron, Co-Project Director showed each woman in attendance how to properly perform her own BSE. A hands on demonstration on life like replicas of the female breast and underarm were available for attendees to examine, with and without lumps, in order to feel what a normal breast feels like as well as to be able to determine when a lump may be suspect and the need for further examination by a professional is necessary. "Over 90 percent of women don’t know how to give themselves breast examinations," said O’Neal. She encourages women to get to know their own breast and to check them regularly in order to detect any changes.
Once participants are certified through the ANGEL Network they are given the tools to meet with other women in their communities in small or large groups, or one on one, to bring about breast health awareness through education and demonstrations of breast self examinations. "There is no way to prevent breast cancer, but it can be cured, if we catch it early," said O’Neal.
To make an appointment and find out when the Women’s Mobil Unit will be at one of the following eight Family Health Centers, call the Appointment Desk at Denver Health at 303-436-4949:
1) Gipson Eastside – 501 28th Street
2) La Casa/Quigg Newton – 4545 Navajo
3) La Mariposa – 1020 W. 11th Avenue
4) Lowry – 1001 Yosemite Street
5) Montbello – 4685 Peoria Street
6) Park Hill – 3380 Dahlia Street
7) Sandos Westside – 1100 Federal Boulevard
8) Westwood – 4320 West Alaska Place
Here are three key steps to detecting breast cancer - steps that can save your life!
Step 1 – Mammogram
Low dose x-rays of the breast
Shows internal structures of breasts
Two types of mammograms:
Screening Mammograms
Diagnostic Mammograms
Mammogram Preparation
Schedule 7-10 days after your period
Bring previous films for comparison
No perfume, power or deodorant
Take acetaminophen prior to exam if your breasts are tender
Use an FDA-approved facility
Step 2 – Clinical Breast Examination
Exam performed by health care provider
Ages 20-39: Once every 3 years
Ages 40 & older: Once every year
Exam should be done close to the time of annual mammogram
Step 3 – Breast Self-Examination
Regular practice – perform monthly
Perform 7 to 10 days after the start of your period
If you are no longer having periods, pick a date you will remember
Perform in conjunction with mammograms and CBE
Editors Note: To find out if you’re eligible for a free breast and/or cervical screening call the Colorado Women’s Cancer Control Initiative at 303-692-2521. In an effort to expand its partnerships and successful health outreach efforts The Metro Denver Black Church Initiative is involved with creating a Center for African American Health in the greater metro Denver area. A benefit to launch the Center for African American Health will take place on Nov. 4 at the Adams Mark Hotel with special guest The Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr., as keynote speaker. Moss has been successful at bringing quality out-patient care to inner-city residents through a partnership between Olivet Institutional Baptist Church and the University Health Systems of Cleveland, Ohio.
|
