People often ask me what I value most as a breast cancer survivor. I often say that I value most my life and know that a big reason for that is my education and taking a proactive role in ensuring that I did not become a statistic and seek early detection. It is that education that ultimately saved my life. This pandemic has had a significant impact on early detection. One reason is that although many things have been canceled, breast cancer is not one of them. However, there have been challenges in accessing and continuing needed care. Many people have been scared to be screened by a doctor. The pandemic has also highlighted tragic racial disparities that exist with breast cancer, as Black women are 40 percent more likely to die from the disease than white women. To prevent this disease from taking lives unnecessarily, I think it is vital to get checked, make healthy choices, and know how to take your breast health into your own hands. Knowing what to look for will hopefully help overcome the 50% decrease in visiting primary care physicians as a result of the pandemic. To assist in taking your health into your hands below is a handout that I often use in my presentations.
Hugs and support,
Dymond Elise
Hugs and support,
Dymond Elise