by E. Johnson Cooper, CMO, Friends of Ebonie
I hate the word cancer. I hate the fact that my astrological sign is called “cancer.” And while cancer has never affected me personally, I know way too many people that it has- particularly breast cancer in black women.
Triple negative breast cancer (TNB) is a form of breast cancer that occurs in about 10-20% of diagnosed breast cancers and is more likely to affect younger people, African Americans, Hispanics, and/or those with a BRCA1 gene mutation. At the same time, black women have higher rates of TNB at ALL ages. A diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer means that the three most common types of receptors known to fuel most breast cancer growth–estrogen, progesterone, and the HER-2/neu gene– are not present in the cancer tumor. This means typical treatments of cancer, hormone therapy and drugs will not work on this cancer, but chemotherapy often does. The earlier caught the better.
Another type of breast cancer that black women are at a higher risk for is Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC). Accounting for only 1% – 5% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S., IBC displays the same symptoms that may occur with inflammation, like swelling, skin redness, and an orange peel like texture of the skin. But this does not mean that IBC (or its symptoms) is caused by infection or injury. The symptoms of IBC are caused by cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin.
So what does this mean for black women? It means we have to know our breasts and pay attention to them. We must do self breast exams and don’t ignore a lump. There’s a handy view below to help you out.
As we near Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am proud to lend support to two very dear family friends as they honor their loved ones who passed away due to TNB and IBC. Both fundraising events will not only remember the women who have passed away, but will provide support to breast cancer cause work. If you in the Phoenix or NYC areas, please consider supporting these great events!
Phoenix, AZ- October 18, 2014
Pinkwellchick Foundation presents:
Life in the Cancer Lane – a benefit play by the late Barbara Watson-Riley
Herberger Theater Center-Stage West, 222 E. Monroe. Phoenix, AZ 85004
“Pinkwellchick® grew out of the desire to get people talking about breast and heart issues that we tend to ignore, as we go about our daily lives. It also led to my play that give voice to the essence of survivor stories, Life in the Cancer Lane.” – Barbara Watson -Riley
[MATINEE TICKETS] [EVENING TICKETS]
**Use links to order tickets online or call (602) 252-8497**
2:00 pm Performance
$40.00-$60.00
7:30 pm Performance (reception at 6:30 pm)
$60.00-$80.00
Special thanks to our Diamond and Platinum Sponsors:
Herberger Theater Center, the Watson Family, Leslie M. Gray, Jemina Bernard, Cox Communications & Advocate Health Care
[DONATE] [BECOME A SPONSOR]
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Harlem, NY- October 3, 2014
Pampered & P.I.N.K. (Providing. Information. Necessary. for Knowledge.)
6pm- 9pm
Coco Le Vu Candy Shop & Party Room | 202 E 110th St | New York, NY 10029
Pampered and P.I.N.K. will be an evening of women joining together in a relaxed social atmosphere, which will include light refreshments, a Manicure Makeover Station and a Lush Lash Bar. Gift bags will be provided to every donor who makes a donation of $50 or more and our list of confirmed sponsors is growing every day!
100% (YES! One Hundred Percent!) of the proceeds from donations and ticket sales will benefit the Breast Examination Center of Harlem (BECH) directly. BECH is an outreach program of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. It has has screened more than 204,592 women for breast cancer. It has an established reputation in the Harlem community for free, high-quality care offered by its professional staff.
What you need to know:
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Pampered & P.I.N.K. kicks off on October 3rd at Coco Le Vu Located at 202 E 110th St, between 2nd & 3rd Aves from 6-9pm
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Admission is FREE and open to the public, but space is limited, so please RSVP. RSVP HERE
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If you make a donation today, you will automatically be added to our guest list. A donation of $50 or more, you’ll be all set to receive one our fabulous gift bags! Dont Forget: Online donations are tax deductible ;)
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Want to donate in person? Send your RSVP to pamperedpinkharlem@gmail.com and let us know you’d like to make a donation in person on the date of the event.
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Can’t make it and want to donate? DONATE HERE
That’s it! You’ll receive an email confirmation letting you know that your name has been added to the guest list!
Breast Cancer Awareness Resources & Support
National Breast Cancer Center- Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Susan G. Komen- Breast Cancer Awareness
