Let’s Talk about Breast Cancer!
Breast cancer continues to impact the lives of women, men, and children in the United States and abroad. According the the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the 2nd most common type of cancer and black women have higher rates of mortality (CDC, 2022). Understanding the physical, mental, and emotional impact of this diagnosis, may be difficult for the individual and those around them. While there is a focus of eradicating the cancer, this does not come without a physical, mental, and emotional price, as individuals must quickly determine the course of treatment with their treating providers. There is no easy solution for treating breast cancer, and the end result may be a loss of a breast, hair, or a loss of life.
As many women schedule their annual mammogram, they are silently praying that they receive a clean bill of health. There is a silent anxiety and fear that often accompanies this arduous task. This is often the part of this process that we do not talk about. So, we are encouraging you to do just that- let’s talk about the emotional and mental impact of breast cancer. As we recognize that mind and body are connected, let’s remember to support each other and discuss these fears and/or anxiety related not only to the diagnosis but fear of a diagnosis. Our minds are powerful and when we interpret something as perceived danger, cortisol is released in our bloodstream. While there are some benefits of cortisol such as regulating the body’s stress response, anti-inflammatory properties, and regulation of metabolism and blood pressure, high levels of cortisol are unhealthy and may lead to weight gain, high blood pressure, excessive hair growth in females, and high blood pressure. So, in essence, anxiety or worrying about a diagnosis may be harmful to your health.
There are organizations that can provide support and offer services. The CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) offers low-cost or no-cost screenings for both breast and cervical cancer. You may locate an organization by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm#map_state . There are resources by state, county, or territory. The National Breast Cancer Foundation Inc. is another source for gaining awareness and resources for breast cancer. So, let’s us pledge to discuss breast cancer not only during October but throughout the year. I am challenging each of you to spread the word.
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