Did You Know?

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which I'm sure most people know. But if you are a black woman did you also know these startling facts:

While the number of breast cancer cases nationwide is decreasing among Caucasian women, the same can not be said among black women. In Arkansas and Mississippi the reported cases of breast cancer have actually increased for black women, while in the majority of the states the numbers have remained flat. The states of Alabama, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington and Washington DC are the only states to see a significant amount of decrease in cases for analysis.

Another poignant fact is that black women are prone to a deadlier type of breast cancer. Death rates for breast cancer are 40 percent higher for black women. Researchers aren't sure why black women are disproportionately affected by breast cancer over their counterparts. Truth be told, there is a disparity in treatment between black and Caucasian women. Some of these factors have to do with the fact that black women are not as aggressive about screening and aren't educating themselves about cancer.

Early detection is extremely vital to decreasing mortality rates. Go get your mammograms ladies. If you are between the age of 25-39 get screened every 2-3 years. If you are 40 and over get screened every year. Screening starts at home with self screening and examining your breasts on a daily basis. Get to know your breasts and how they feel so you can determine if somethings doesn't feel right. There are other facts that can curb your risks and they include:

• Watch your weight. Overweight and obese women are at a higher risk of breast cancer
• Exercise regularly as this decreases your risk of breast cancer as much as 20 percent
• Lighten up on the sauce. The more you drink in regards to the number of glasses and length of years will increase your risk
• Hormone replacement therapy has been linked to higher risk of breast cancer in women who use them
• Including some soy (not the supplement) to your diet can decrease your risk of breast cancer
• Carotenoid that comes from fresh/raw fruits and veggies has shown a remarkable ability to mitigate the risk of breast cancer. Eat your veggies!
• A recent study of 2,000 Chinese women revealed that those women who drank green tea daily were 40 percent less likely to develop breast cancer
• Women who smoke have a 20 percent chance of developing breast cancer over women who do not.

Resources: MSNBC.com, National Breast Cancer Foundation Org & google image

Looking for gifts, apparels and novelties with a green theme? Check us out at
Sha~Dou!