Mammography screening is important for all women, regardless of their race/ethnicity or their risk of breast cancer. Along with follow-up tests, and treatment if diagnosed, mammography can reduce the chance of dying from breast cancer.
Some women are less likely than others to get mammography screening. There are many reasons for disparities in breast cancer screening in the United States. At the top of the barrier list for many Black women? Lack of health insurance.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® looked to push back against that disparity by providing traveling to the 25th annual ESSENCE Festival and providing free mammography screenings to 107 women visitors and residents of New Orleans.
The initial goal for the international service organization was to provide 70 free 3D mammograms to uninsured women with
the traveling Alpha Kappa Alpha Mobile Mammography Unit at the event.
“The response to our mobile unit during the ESSENCE Festival was unbelievable. This reinforced our commitment to continue offering this free service throughout the country. We know that for women under the age of 45, breast cancer is more common among African American women than any other race. We’re working really hard to change that statistic,” said Alpha Kappa Alpha International President Glenda Glover.
In addition to the free mammograms, more than 2,000 women toured the 3D mammogram unit to receive breast cancer awareness education and information.
Sorority leadership and members spoke about the importance of early detection from the ESSENCE Center Stage during presentations on Saturday and Sunday to packed audiences.
Sorority member Denise Juluke and Anjanette Brown-Perkins gave powerful testimonials of their triumph over breast cancer, encouraging women to take action now.
“I was initially diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2016. On top of this devastating news, one of my younger brothers had unexpectedly died two weeks earlier, and my husband’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer three years before me,” shared Juluke.
“What really threw me for a curveball was being told later that the Stage 2 cancer was actually aggressive Stage 3. I had a bilateral mastectomy and am alive today because I had regular mammograms.”
Brown-Perkins was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer exactly one year after her mother was diagnosed with the same disease.
“Having taken care of my mother when she went through her cancer treatment prepared me for my journey. As women, we always are taking care of others. I urge women to make the time to take care of their health. Early detection does save lives,” says Brown-Perkins. “If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for the people you love and who love you.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha is committed to addressing critical issues that impact the quality of life throughout the world, including women’s healthcare and wellness. The international service organization has partnered with Assured Imaging to provide the screenings.
Digital mammograms are recommended for women who are at least 40 years of age, have not had a previous mammogram in the past year, and do not have breast problems or complaints. Women between the ages of 35 and 39 can receive one baseline mammogram screening without an order.
The sorority’s goal is to reach 100,000 women over the next four years to share information concerning breast cancer, increase awareness regarding the risk factors that contribute to breast cancer, and provide access to mammograms.
Since the mobile unit was launched in October 2018, it has visited seven cities and more than 400 patients have received a free mammogram screening.
Nearly 20% of the patients screened were abnormal and referred for further testing to a healthcare provider by Assured Imaging. Alpha Kappa Alpha is currently planning new stops for the tour, as the sorority continues its focus on awareness and prevention of breast cancer, which disproportionately impacts African-American women.
For more information regarding eligibility or to schedule a mammogram, go to http://www.assuredimaging.com/AKA or call 888-233-6121.
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.
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