“You are not alone. We are in this together.”

-Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Light the charcoal. Sprinkle the sage. Negative energy go away. Today, I want to talk to you about breast cancer. By now you have been affected by breast cancer either directly or indirectly. In this blog, I will reiterate some of what is already known about this disease that stills so many lives. As well as some of the perplexing aspects that we don’t know yet.

As an 8^th grader, the reality of breast cancer and its dangers hit me hard as I saw my grandmother struggle every day without any complaints. I know, it’s another moment courtesy of that year. And as if there wasn’t plenty of other things to deal with. As someone who used to be deeply connect with my family, this reality was a little too harsh for me. Many nights I would cry myself to sleep as everyone else said, “Don’t worry about things that haven’t happened.” However, as a child, I worried about everything including people dying that I loved. That year I don’t remember not being scared for even one minute. And today, my nervous system continues to believe that we are still there. It is what it is, I guess.

Let us look at some of the things that we do know about breast cancer:

§  Breast cancer doesn’t always appear as a lump. Other symptoms include swelling, redness, nipple changes, and nipple discharge.

§  Drinking alcohol can increase your breast cancer risk.

§  You don’t need to learn how to do a breast exam. Research  indicates that monthly self-exam isn’t necessary (www.mdanderson.org, 2025).

§  In 2025, estimated 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed. As well as 59, 080 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer.

§  Currently 4 million breast cancer survivors

§  Estimated 42,170 U.S. women will die from breast cancer this year.

§  Risk of recurrence depends on the type and staging of the initial breast cancer.

§  1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime.

§  Most common cancer in American women.

§  The average age of U.S. women diagnosed is 62 years old.

§  About 9% of all new cases in the U.S. are diagnosed in women younger than 45 years old.

§  Younger people under the age of 35 who are diagnosed face a higher risk of recurrence.

§  Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

§  Black women have the lowest 5-year relative breast cancer survival rate of any racial or ethnic group.

§  1 in 5 black women are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, which is more difficult to treat.

§  Hispanic women have a 20% lower incidence rate of breast cancer than any other  group.

§  Asian and Pacific Islander women are more likely to be diagnosed with localized breast cancer.

§  They also have the lowest death rate from breast cancer.

§  American Indian and Alaskan Native women have the lowest rate of developing breast cancer.

§  Chinese and Japanese women have the highest breast cancer survival rates.

§  In 2025, an estimated 2,8000 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the U.S.

§  Estimated 510 U.S men will die from breast cancer in 2025.

§  1 in 726 men in the U.S. will develop breast cancer.

§  Black men with breast cancer tend to have worse prognosis (www.nationalbreastcancer.org, 2025).

What is not currently known about breast cancer?

§   Genetic Mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2 increased risk, only account for a very small percentage of breast cancers. Which means approximately 80-90% are unknown.

§  Reasons for high mortality rate in African American women is still being investigated.

§  While dense breasts are a factor, there’s more needed research to understand the underlying mechanisms.

§  Symptoms like nipple inversion, skin dimpling, and changes in nipple or breast skin texture, can delay diagnosis and treatment.

§  Although knowing about breast cancer in men, the cause and treatment are not as well-understood with diagnosis and treatment being delayed.

§  Environmental factors are suspected and are still being explored (www.fomatmedical.com, 2023).

Affirmation: Hope is on my side.

***Don’t forget to watch the video!***

#Thispuzzledlife