"Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Protecting Black and Brown Women from Breast Cancer"

When Sadie, a 52-year-old mother of three, found a small lump in her breast, she almost ignored it due to her busy life caring for her aged parents and her family. After finally scheduling a mammogram, she learned that she had breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early, and after treatment, she is now cancer-free.

Sadie's story is not unique. For many women, the demands of daily life often push personal health to the bottom of the list. But the reality is this: breast cancer doesn't wait.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. In the U.S., 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The statistics for women of color paint an even more urgent picture:

• Black women are diagnosed at about the same rate as white women, but are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer.
• Hispanic and Latina women are often diagnosed at advanced stages, making treatment more difficult, thereby reducing survival rates.
• For younger women under 40, Black women have higher rates of aggressive breast cancers than any other group.

These numbers aren't just statistics; they are our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends in our communities.

What is the Reason for the Gap?

Part of the reason for these disparities is access. Too many of us face barriers to healthcare, whether it's a lack of insurance, mistrust of the medical system, or limited access to mammography centers. We also have cultural tendencies to "push through" and put family first, which means many women delay screenings or ignore early warning signs.

Early Detection Saves Lives

Breast cancer detected early has a 5-year survival rate of 99%. This highlights that scheduling regular mammograms and performing monthly self-exams are not just good habits; they are life-saving actions.

• Mammograms: Begin mammograms at age 40 or earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer
• Self-Exams: Know how your breasts look and feel so you can notice changes.
• Know Your Family History: Discuss cancer history with relatives. Knowledge is power.

Taking Back Control

While prevention and early detection are crucial, many women will still face a breast cancer diagnosis. Treatment often leads to emotional challenges and unexpected financial burdens, along with loss of income and medical bills. Living benefits in life insurance can offer essential support during this time.

Unlike traditional life insurance that pays out only after death, living benefits allow you access to funds while you're alive if diagnosed with a critical illness, like cancer. This will enable you to concentrate on healing without the extra stress of financial concerns.

For Black and Brown women, who are already more likely to face health disparities and financial barriers, this kind of protection is not a luxury—it's a necessity. It's about surviving breast cancer, not just physically, but financially, and ensuring your family's stability through life's hardest battles.

Our Call to Action

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let Sadie's story remind us to prioritize our health. Education and advocacy for change to secure our future is our call to action.

Let's go Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Protect Black Women from Breast Cancer by sharing more stories like Sadie's.