While Michigan trees may be changing to hues of orange, yellow and red this October, the only color on many people’s minds this month is pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in honor of those women who have bravely battled the disease, as well as the loved ones impacted by their struggles, St. John Providence Health System is inviting all women to join its “T.E.A.M. Pink” effort.
By joining T.E.A.M. (Tell Everyone About Mammograms) Pink, you can educate yourself and help spread the word about breast cancer prevention, support the fight against breast cancer and honor those you know and love who have been affected by this disease.
It is especially critical for women in the African-American community to get educated and active about breast cancer prevention. Did you know that breast cancer is the most common cancer among African-American women, and is the second most common cause of cancer death among the population? Did you know that African-American women have a higher incidence rate of breast cancer before age 40, and most significantly, are more likely to die at every age from the disease compared to non-Hispanic White women?
In fact, according to some studies, Black women are almost 50 percent more likely to die compared to white women within the first three years following a breast cancer diagnosis.
So how can you join T.E.A. M. Pink? First, get your mammogram. Women aged 40 and over should receive a mammogram every year. For a list of St. John Providence breast care mammography sites, please visit: www.stjohnprovidence.org/breastcare/locations/. Also, be sure to wear pink on October 18, which is designated as National Mammography Day.
Next, learn your family’s health history. A family health history can help you assess your risk, and take action to prevent diseases you’re prone to developing. It’s important to know facts like common chronic diseases in relatives, other serious medical conditions and the ages associated with the onset of these occurrences in family members.
Another vital step for all T.E.A.M. Pink members is to perform a self breast exam every month after age 20. If you are not sure how, please visit: www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer.
St. John Providence also is encouraging all T.E.A.M. Pink members to share a personal story about your own battle with breast cancer or how a breast cancer survivor has inspired you. With your help, SJPHS will be honoring those who are fighting breast cancer, as well as their families and loved ones who support and care for them. Stories will be posted on the St. John Providence website and Facebook page. To share a story, visit www.stjohnprovidence.org/TeamPink/join.aspx.
As a member of T.E.A.M. Pink, you can further your support of other women by making a donation to the St. John Providence “Because We Care” (BWC) program. The BWC program provides access to screening mammograms for under-insured and uninsured women. To make a donation to BWC, please call the St. John Providence Foundation at 313-343-7480. Your generosity could save a life.
Let’s work together to paint the town pink this October! For more information on T.E.A.M. Pink, breast cancer information and resources and additional details on St. John Providence’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, please visit www.stjohnprovidence.org/teampink/Default.aspx.
St. John Providence Health System is the largest provider of inpatient care in Southeast Michigan. It provides comprehensive prevention, primary care and advanced treatment programs with more than 125 medical centers and five hospitals spanning five counties.