Breast cancer affects Black women at disproportionate rates
Black women are 41 percent more likely to die from breast cancer as White women.
That statement alone gives credence as to why Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., has a bus criss-crossing the country this year providing free 3D mobile mammography screenings. As the nation’s oldest Black Greek lettered sorority, it’s part of their mission to better the health outcomes for African American women.
The bus is coming to Pittsburgh from May 17-18, and the sorority’s Pittsburgh chapter, Alpha Alpha Omega, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Steelers, will provide the free baseline screenings from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the FedEx Great Hall, at Heinz Field.
Pre-registration is required by May 3. The website to pre-register is www.assuredimaging.com/aka. A New Pittsburgh Courier analysis of the appointments shows that as of 5 p.m., April 26, there were eight available appointments left for Tuesday, May 17, and 29 open appointments left for Wednesday, May 18. Those who pre-register must be at least 40 years old, have not had a previous mammogram in the past year and have no current breast problems or complaints. Individuals between the ages of 35-39 can also receive a baseline mammogram. “The AKAs are concerned about women’s health in general, and that (breast cancer/mammograms) has been one of our targets for several years now,” voiced Dr. Emma Lucas-Darby, president of the sorority’s local chapter.
EMMA LUCAS-DARBY, PH.D., president of the Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
“Early detection of breast cancer increases the opportunity for a variety of treatment,” added LaJuana Fuller, director of Women’s Imaging at UPMC Magee Womens Hospital.
Fuller and her team will be on site both days, answering the many questions women may have after they take their mammogram screening. She told the New Pittsburgh Courier that it’s important women have follow-up care after their screening.
Fuller advises that women start getting an annual mammogram screening beginning at age 40.
So what causes the gap in breast cancer incidence and death between Black and White women? According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the answer is “complex and multi-factorial. Social, economic, and behavioral factors may partially account for disparities. Black women are statistically more likely to have diabetes, heart disease and obesity, and are less likely to breastfeed after childbirth—all of which are risk factors for breast cancer. They are also more likely than White women to have inadequate health insurance or access to health care facilities, which may affect screening, follow-up care, and completion of therapy.”
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation also noted that “biology” plays a role. “Black women are disproportionately affected by more aggressive subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer and inflammatory breast cancer, and they are more likely to be diagnosed at younger ages and at more advanced stages of the disease.”
Dr. Darby told the Courier that the operative word for their two-day screening event is “free.”
“We really want women to have a mammogram, and we know that a lot of uninsured women cannot have a mammogram, or even if they are insured, they’ll pay high deductibles.”
Dr. Darby said she doesn’t hear that women don’t want to get mammograms, it’s just the cost factor. “We’re trying to tap into that population. It doesn’t matter that you don’t have insurance, just come and get the mammograms.”
Dr. Darby said in addition to the mammogram screenings, there will be a health fair at the Great Hall, as well. People can come to the health fair where there will be other screenings available with no appointment needed, along with COVID-19 vaccinations for adults and children.
“We will have giveaways, as well,” Dr. Darby told the Courier. “Several local organizations and corporations are working with us.”
Fuller said that once all the appointments for the Alpha Kappa Alpha mobile mammography screenings have been filled, that doesn’t give women (or men) the excuse not to get a screening. She told the Courier UPMC Magee-Womens has 11 centers in the region that provide mammography screenings, including its main Oakland location (300 Halket Street), McKeesport (1500 Fifth Ave. Level A), West Mifflin (275 Clairton Blvd.) and Monroeville (4075 Monroeville Blvd., Building II). For more information on those available screening times, call 412-641-4700.
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