In 2016, I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and I was lucky at one level.

Fortunately, after not having bothered to have a mammogram since 2011, I have not discovered a tumor that has spread to other parts of my body.

"After four years of no screening, it's a blessing," said Keesha Green, coordinator of community relations and relations at the West Cancer Clinic.

Dr. Kurt Tauer, head of medical oncology staff at West, said that although I may not have discovered my tumor earlier, because stage 1 tumors usually do not appear not on a mammogram before the age of 12 to 18 months. the fact that I decided to resume my screenings when I did it.

"I think the Lord intervened," he said.

But no woman should let chance or the Lord pass an annual mammogram.

This is especially true for African American women here in Memphis, where a 2014 study by the Sinai Urban Health Institute and the Avon Foundation for Women revealed that between 2005 and 2009, Memphis posted the greater disparity in breast cancer deaths among black women. .

At the local level, black women during this five-year period died of the disease at a rate of 44.3 per 100,000 women – more than double the rate of 21 for white women during this period.

But Memphis has since narrowed this gap, Green said. It is now ranked seventh in terms of these disparities.

Much of this improvement comes from the efforts of Tauer, who was not satisfied with Memphis topped the disparities in breast cancer. He is now leading the community outreach initiatives from the West, so that lack of insurance, transportation or other problems do not prevent women from receiving a mammogram or other medical care. 39, other care.

"I felt embarrassed, I felt very bad, I felt that we had dropped our city," said Tauer. "So, we really wanted to do something for every woman to receive care."

Thanks to the West Cancer Center Institute, any woman can get treatment, regardless of her ability to pay, said Leighanne Soden, director of development and community relations in the West. On average there are 13 cancers per year per 1,000 women.

Nevertheless, said Tauer and Green, it is essential to raise awareness of the importance of mammograms.

Carla Baker, project director of the Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium, highlighted the importance of mammograms and early detection for African-American women.

"It's what saves lives," said Baker, "but many African-American women will push him away because of fear, or they may have no insurance, or they may have insurance but they can not pay the quota.

"However, in Memphis, funds are available to help with this, and the treatment and mammograms have improved dramatically."

Merry Moore, 52, is another witness to the importance of mammograms.

"Since the age of 40, I have never missed it," said Moore, diagnosed with a stage 1 tumor at 49 years old.

"I ate healthily and went there (for a mammogram) religiously, but when they found it, they found it in the milk ducts … without mammography, that did not happen. would have never been discovered. "

So, like me, Moore is a survivor. But she is a much better example.

She is sure to have an annual mammogram. And now, with the resources in place here in the West and in other institutions, and with organizations like the Memphis Breast Cancer Consortium, more African American women can follow her example and further reduce their risk of dying. 'a life-threatening illness. treated in its early days.

Be like Moore. Not like me. Because I was lucky. And when it comes to breast cancer, it's better to focus on intelligence than luck.

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