Get screened regularly
The most common types of cancer for Black Americans are breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, and lung and colorectal cancer in both groups. These cancers can be detected early – and often treated successfully – by getting regular, routine screenings.
Mobile screening services are available in Pittsburgh that bring care to underserved communities. You can find out more about them by visiting the web sites below or by searching “Free or low-cost cancer screenings near me” on your cell phone or a computer.
Allegheny Health Network (AHN) free cancer screenings:
https://www.ahn.org/lp/cancer-screening-agh
PA Department of Health Early Detection Program
https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/Pages/PABreastandCervicalCancerEarlyDetectionProgram.aspx
Good Rx
https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/cancer/free-cancer-screening
Prevent Cancer Foundation
https://www.preventcancer.org/education/free-and-low-cost-cancer-screenings/
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
https://www.upmc.com/services/south-central-pa/imaging/mammography/free-screenings
Please don’t let the fear of bad news stop you from being screened! If you have cancer symptoms, such as a lump in your breast, trouble urinating, or having a cough most of the time, make an appointment as soon as possible.
Live More Healthfully
Diet & Exercise
Small lifestyle changes can have a big impact on your health. For example, if you’re overweight, lose 10 pounds slowly by reading food labels and choosing items that are low in added sugar and fat and high in protein. If there’s a safe place for you to walk, take a leisurely stroll for 10 minutes a day with a goal of working up to 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
Nicotine
Don’t smoke, vape, or chew tobacco. If you already use, try to lower your intake with a goal of quitting. Many companies offer smoking-cessation programs to their employees through wellness plans. If you have insurance, contact a plan representative, and ask if there’s a program that’s offered at no or low cost. If you’ve tried a program and it didn’t work, keep trying. Don’t get discouraged! It often takes multiple attempts before people are successful.
Alcohol
Limit how much alcohol you drink. Current guidelines from the American Cancer Society recommend no alcohol consumption, but if you do choose to drink, don’t consume more than one drink per day if you’re a woman and two drinks per day if you’re a man. For instance, one 12-oz beer or one 5-oz glass of wine.
Share your story!
If you’re a cancer survivor, talk about it with others as a way of informing and encouraging them to be proactive about their health.
If you’ve lost a loved one to cancer, tell that story as well — in honor of the person’s memory and as good information.
The word “cancer” continues to be one of the scariest words in the human language. You can make it less scary by talking about your experiences from a place of love and concern. And, if you’re an elder in the community, your words and example can be especially powerful to younger people.
About Post Author
