Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Black women. A U.S. woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer is 1 in 8, African American women have a 40% breast cancer mortality rate – the highest of any U.S. racial or ethnic group. The mortality rate for Black women diagnosed with breast cancer is 42% higher than the comparable rate for White women.

Prevention is Key!

Breast health begins with breast awareness. Getting a sense of what's typical for you is important. Being familiar with how your breasts usually feel makes it easier to detect when there’s a change. Over time, you will discover how your breasts change in sensitivity and texture at different times depending on your menstrual cycle, age and other factors.

When to get a
Mammogram

Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.
All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do.

Reducing Your Risk

Exercise
Healthy weight
Reduce alcohol intake
Taking hormones
First pregnancy after 30 years old

Risks We Can't Change

Stay Aware!!

Age
Genetic mutations
Personal/family history of breast cancer
Dense breasts
Starting menstrual cycle before 12 years old
Menopause after 55 years old

Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer

A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue

Change in the size, shape or appearance of a breast

Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling

A newly inverted nipple

Peeling, scaling, crusting or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple (areola) or breast skin

Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

Black women in the U.S. are three times as likely as women of other ethnic or racial backgrounds to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancers, for which there still isn’t effective treatment. Under screening is also responsible for higher cancer diagnoses and deaths among African Americans.

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control.

There are different kinds of breast cancer.

The kind of breast cancer depends on which cells in the breast turn into cancer.

Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast.

A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue.