President Urges Women to be Vigilant About Breast Health
Encourages support of research efforts
International president Barbara A. McKinzie urged the 200,000 members of the organization—and all African-American women—to be vigilant about their breast health.
“Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death of African-American women,” declared McKinzie. “But, by being screened through mammograms, by monitoring any changes in your breasts, and by engaging in other breast-detection activities, you can prevent this disease or have it treated while it is in its early stages.”
She urged all women to take advantage of free or reduced-cost mammograms and informational forums when offered by hospitals and other healthcare facilities. She also encouraged women to support research efforts devoted to finding the cause of breast cancer. She specifically cited the Sister Study, a long-term research project to determine the causes of breast cancer among African-American women.
Adapting the ESP theme that marks her administration, and against the facts about Black women being more susceptible to the disease, McKinzie urged all women to be Energized, Smart and Proactive about their breast health.
McKinzie, whose platform focuses on economics, said that breast cancer has a financial impact because of the escalating costs of healthcare, the monetary losses incurred from being out of work and the psychic consequences of not being able to contribute to the family and community because of the disease.
Proclaimed McKinzie, “When considering the tremendous downside of this disease, it is vital that you are Energized, Smart and Proactive, not just during the month of October, but all year round!”
Learn more about the Sister Study
Read The Philadelphia Inquirer article on how one courageous AKA member is meeting the breast cancer health challenge.