Facts about Breast Cancer:

• Breast Cancer is more common in African-American women under 40 than in White women in this age group.

• When African-American women are diagnosed with the same stage of cancer as White women, they tend to have a worse outcome.

• Studies have shown that African-American women are more likely to be offered a mastectomy than breast preservation therapy (lumpectomy plus radiation).

• A new study shows that some doctors tend to lower the dose of chemotherapy for African-American women, particularly when they are obese. (lower doses may be less effective)

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 19,010 new cases of Breast Cancer are expected to occur among African-American women in 2007.  Breast Cancer is the most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death among African-American women. 

Take the Sister – To – Sister pledge and Tell Ten women that:

1. Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

2. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a periodic (regular) health exam by a health professional, preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

3. The Breast Self Exam (BSE) is an important routine for women starting in their 20s. Women should report any breast changes to their health professional right away.

For more information on Breast Cancer visit

American Cancer Society 

www.cancer.org

National Women’s Health Network Fact Sheet 

www.womenhealthnetwork.org

African-American Health Breast Cancer and African-American Women

www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/aahealth

National Black Women’s Health Imperative

www.blackwomenshealth.org

Facts about Domestic Violence: 

• Nearly 5.3 million incidents of Domestic Violence occur each year among U.S. women.

• At least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused.

• Every 15 seconds, in the U.S., a woman is beaten.

• About 1 in 4 women are likely to be abused by a partner in her lifetime.

• 33% of all women murdered are murdered by an intimate partner.

• On average, more than 3 women are murdered by their husband or boyfriend every day.

• Young women age 16-24 experience the highest rate of domestic violence.

• 57% of teens know someone who has been abused in a dating relationship.

Intimate partner violence (IVP) is defined as physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a current or former dating partner or spouse.  IPV varies from isolated violent acts to battering, which is more frequent and intensive and involves one partner maintaining control over the other.  

What can you do?

• Call the police if you see or hear evidence of domestic violence

• Reach out to support someone you believe is a victim of IPV

• Contact and support your local domestic violence counseling programs and shelters.

For more information on Intimate Partner Violence

     National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

www.ncadv.org

National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

www.nrcdv.org

Saving Grace Campaign

www.colormebutterfly.com/national-resources

      Centers for Disease Control

www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/ipvfacts.htm.