- Have a baseline risk assessment performed by your doctor, by age 25, to determine if screening earlier than age 40 is needed. New American College of Radiology guidelines call for earlier and more intensive screening for high-risk women, “particularly Black and Ashkenazi Jewish women.” Black women are considered high risk, without exception, due to higher mortality from breast cancer, higher grade tumors, and higher risk of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, amongst other factors.
- Make sure your mammogram is a DBT type (Digital Breast Tomosynthesis). This is also referred to as a 3D mammogram.
- Talk to your doctor about your mammogram results including the level of your breast density (heterogeneous or extremely dense). Mammography remains a critical necessity for good breast health. Get screened at a frequency and age according to your own risk factors. Starting at age 25-30, ask your doctor if you’re at high risk for breast cancer. In July 2021, the American College of Radiology reclassified Black women as high-risk.
- Document your biological family health history and share it with your doctor(s). As a Black woman, a family history of breast, prostate, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers on your mother’s and father’s side of the family can increase your risks. The more your biological family history is documented (it is optimal to know the condition and age, if possible), the more your screening can be closely monitored, perhaps at an earlier age than the average, and the more likely your insurance will cover additional screenings.
- Understand the laws in your state regarding insurance coverage for additional screenings and the disclosure of the level of density. Maryland, for example, passed two bills covering genetic and genomic testing and coverage for additional screenings at no cost. I proudly testified for both bills and met with my state legislators. You should too. To register to be trained on using your voice for these changes, contact my breast health equity organization Touch4Life to join our B-HAVE™ (Breast-Health Advocate Voices for Equity) initiative. By September 2024, the FDA will require breast density notification for all women in the U.S.
- Perform self-exams of your breasts regularly. If menstruating, remember to do so when you put away your cycle gear (tampons, pads, etc.) after your period. If you are post- or perimenopausal, pick a day of the month (e.g., your birth date) and go for it! Look and feel your breasts. If you want to see how to perform a self-breast exam, you can view a nurse practitioner as she walks you through the process.
Black women have been neglected for far too long under the weight of healthcare disparities. The healthcare industry must recognize our unique risks and vulnerabilities, offering us the same attention and care given to others. It’s time to come together, share our stories, and demand a brighter, healthier future for all Black women. Let us refuse to be invisible any longer and take the steps necessary to reclaim our health because our lives truly matter.
Touch4Life is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting breast health equity. Our mission is rooted in the experiences of Laura Crandon who is a Black breast cancer survivor, driving us to educate, engage, and empower individuals within the community to actively prioritize and embrace lifelong breast health.