Disempowering A Black Woman’s Breast

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By Charles S. Mombo

Self-Examination

On November 16, 2009, The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) announced that it is changing its guidelines for mammography. USPSTF’s new recommendation says women in their 40's don't need to get mammograms if breast cancer is not in their family history. They suggest women should get one every two years starting at the age of 50, noting that early and frequent screenings often lead to false alarms and unneeded biopsies.

My immediate reaction was this is not a good recommendation for women; especially African American women. Instead of helping African American women, the USPSTF guideline appears to be disempowering them. Innumerable studies have showed that African American women are more likely than all other race group to die from breast cancer. In most cases, tumors are found at a later or more advanced stage so there are fewer treatment options. Studies have also shown that more African American women die from breast cancer due to the following reasons – not having insurance, not following-up after getting abnormal test results, not being able to get quality health care, a distrust of the health care system or lack of education – believing that mammograms are not needed (as in the case of USPSTF’s guideline).

Medical experts including Dr. Otis W. Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer, American Cancer Society are weighing in against USPSTF’s new recommendation.

According to Dr. Brawley, “The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider. When recommendations are based on judgments about the balance of risks and benefits, reasonable experts can look at the same data and reach different conclusions.”

So sisters, disregard USPSTF’s recommendation and continue to do your breast self-exam and annual screening using mammography.

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One Response to “Disempowering A Black Woman’s Breast”

Tammy Turner says:

November 18, 2009 at 3:08 PM

I am a 29 years old African American woman and 5 women in my family have passed away from breast cancer and 2 of them are suffering from it now. 4 were diagnosed before the age of 50 and 2 before the age of 40. In situations like mine you can't put something like that off. I have an annual clinical examination and I plan to start getting mammograms before the age of 50.