Faith Temple Church of God in Christ hosted a “Many Shades of Pink” free luncheon Saturday to celebrate breast cancer survivors and to promote early detection in African-American women.
“It is a blessing just to witness all these beautiful, strong women of God who have survived and you all can set the pace to let other young women know that early detection is important,” said Pat McCruter, the mistress of ceremonies.
The “pink” event, held at the United Steelworkers Hall, Mansfield, was the vision Faith Temple Church of God members Wahnita Johnson and Bessie Marsh, both breast cancer survivors. In addition to information, women were treated to a soup and salad lunch and pink-themed giveaways.
Kaye Luttrell, a recently retired oncology nurse, spoke to the women about a startling fact: Black women have lower breast cancer rates but they are more likely to die from it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put the disparity in breast cancer deaths between black and white women in glaring terms in a 2012 report called “Vital Signs.” Some of the facts included:
· Although black women have a lower incidence of breast cancer overall, they are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
· Despite advances in screening and treatment over 30 years, many black women don’t get diagnosed until their cancers are late-stage and harder to treat.
· Even though black women get screening mammograms at the same rate as white women, black women are less likely to get prompt follow-up care after abnormal mammograms and fewer get the treatment they need after they’re diagnosed.
Luttrell asked the women why they thought this was true. Answers included lack of medical care, fear, denial, lack of early detection, lack of education, and poverty.
Ways to combat early death include exercise, increased knowledge, early detection and eating healthy, Luttrell encouraged the women to talk about breast cancer, early detection and general knowledge about self-breast exams and mammograms with their family, their co-workers and anyone who will listen.
“We also need to make sure that we use community resources,” Luttrell said.
Melissa Culler, MSW, LSW, with Richland Public Health and the Region 5 Breast and Cervical Health Screening Project, talked to the women about resources available to women fighting breast cancer and for early detection screenings as well.
“We are fortunate to have received money here in Richland County to help pay for cancer screenings,” Culler said. “We are looking for women ages 40 and older with this grant. It will pay for a mammogram, it will pay for a clinical breast exam with a physician…we can help pay for breast ultrasounds, breast MRI, biopsy charges and treatment costs. So, if you know someone in the community who is without insurance or maybe they’re underinsured and they don’t know where to go for help, when it comes to a breast cancer screening, I’m that resource.”
Belinda Morgan, the health and wellness minister at New Beginning Full Baptist Church, Mansfield, talked to the women about healthy eating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle overall. She started her talk with a Bible verse from Genesis 1:29, where God talks about leaving food in terms of fruits, vegetables and herbs for man to eat.
“This is the first gift that our God gave us. Please do not disregard that,” she said. “That food will keep you healthy, it will give you all the vitamins and minerals you need to help your body to grow and not come down with disease.”
Morgan also offered some “home remedies” for the women to try to aid in their quest to be healthier. Lemon water, pure apple cider vinegar, baking soda with a teaspoon of Black Strap Molasses, a teaspoon of cayenne pepper mixed with warm water, are just a few of the remedies that have proven to help maintain health.
Other breast cancer survivors also shared their testimonies.
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Despite advances in screening and treatment over 30 years, many black women don’t get diagnosed until their cancers are late-stage and harder to treat.
