Breast Cancer & Diabetes

Last week I was diagnosed with diabetes. It didn't come as a surprise, as a few relatives are diabetic, and I'd been exhibiting some symptoms related to the disease. Initially the doctor said it was type II since my body is still producing some insulin. However, at yesterday's consultation the nurse expressed concern that it may be type I due to my age and the fact that the level of insulin that is naturally produced by my body is low. So they will be running labs and all that good stuff in the next few weeks. Doesn't really matter I guess; the end result is the same right?

So yeah, I have to change my diet and exercise more, all that good stuff. And that's fine. The real fear for me is the possible link between diabetes and breast cancer. For years, scientists have looked at a possible link between breast cancer and diabetes. It has been suggested that high levels of insulin may increase the risk of breast cancer. Diabetes research shows that women with diabetes have a 20% higher risk of breast cancer than women without diabetes. One study suggests that high blood sugar increases the risk of breast cancer even among pre-menopausal women. Not good news for someone with a history of breast cancer on both sides of the family.

I must note that it has been difficult for scientists to determine whether diabetes is indeed a risk factor. After all, obesity increases the risk for both diseases. And significant weight gain (more than 55 pounds since age 18, or 22 pounds after menopause) can also increase risk of breast cancer, even in women without diabetes.

Breast cancer is most effectively treated when it is detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends taking the following preventative measures to help ensure good breast health:

• Begin having annual mammograms at age 40 (but if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have them done earlier, depending on your doctor's recommendation).
• Your doctor should be performing a clinical breast examination at your regular health examination or gynecological visit. For women between the ages of 20 and 39, this breast examination should be performed every three years; women 40 and older should have a clinical breast examination every year.
• Women as young as age 20 should perform monthly breast self-examinations to familiarize themselves with the normal feel of their breast tissue. This can help you identify changes or problems. It is important to report any changes to your doctor right away.

The Mayo Clinic recommends taking the following tips, which are especially important if you have a family history of breast cancer and diabetes, to help prevent diabetes:

• Lose extra weight: Diabetes is highly associated with obesity. If you carry extra weight, try to lose it as diabetes prevention hinges on weight loss.
• Skip fad diets: low-carb, low-fat and high protein diets work only for the short-term and provide no value in long-term weight maintenance.
• Eat plenty of fiber: fiber improves blood sugar control.
• Swap white bread and refined flour breads with whole grains: at least half of your daily intake of grains should come from whole grains.
• Lose the sedentary lifestyle: regular exercise not only prevents weight gain, it helps maintain healthy weight, improves your mood, encourages heart and lung health, and promotes better sleep.



Since November is Diabetes Awareness Month, I'll be posting more about it then. Til then, ladies and gents (because men can develop breast cancer too!) be sure to check yourself. If you feel anything abnormal, talk to your doctor ASAP.

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

image courtesy of theredpumpproject.org

"I don't want to know."

"Ignorance is bliss."

"If I have it, there's nothing I can do about it."

There are plenty of excuses one could give for not knowing their status, but none of them are plausible. Knowing your status is a vital part of the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we as women cannot afford to turn a blind eye to it. Women, especially minority women, are disproportionately affected by this horrible disease. Want proof?

Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in the United States. Though much progress has been made in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, women still represent 27 percent of all new AIDS diagnoses, with African-American women making up an overwhelming 66 percent of that number. In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%. (source*)

If anyone is going to take the charge to turn these numbers around, it has to be us. It may not be quick, may not be easy, but it can be done. Here are a few ways you can do your part:

• Get tested! It's pretty painless, free, private and doesn't take long at all. Even if you spend a while waiting, it's worth every minute to know your status. Need to find a testing place? You can click here to find a testing site by entering your zip code.


• Encourage others to get tested, especially young women. From what I've seen in the past, getting tested has a stigma to it. I've heard comments as I & a group of other young women walked into a testing site located on my college campus that we must've been sleeping around with all of Jackson and only hoes needed to get tested. Not true. It only takes one unprotected encounter with one infected person to contract it. Whether you've had 1 or 100 partners, you need to be tested. Share this with others who may have some hesitation about going.  And share with your partner(s) too. We have to create a culture in which going to get tested is as normal as going to the doctor for our annual check up.


• Adhere to the advice we've been given about AIDS since practically Day 1: do not have unprotected sex unless you are in a monogamous sexual relationship and both of you have been tested. Heck, even then wrap it up! If you or your partner have multiple partners, use condoms with each and every one of them. And if you use intravenous drugs (lawd... Imma hold my tongue on that for now) do not share needles.

Please, do your part so that next year and in the following years, the stats on NWGHAAD show that we are making strides to end this thing once and for all.

*For more statistics and resources, visit The Red Pump Project


Now, let me share a personal testimony. *cues organ*
The first time I got tested was one summer in college. A testing site was set up and one of my friends called and asked did I wanna go. I said sure, why not. When my turn came up, I filled out the questionnaire, answered the lady's questions as she drew the blood and went back to wait. I can't lie, I was so nervous! By the time I got called back for the results (about 10 minutes or so) I was actually shaking. The lady doing the testing read me up and down; she seriously ministered to me about the things I was doing (things I did not include on the questionnaire) and why I was doing it. I was moved to tears y'all, so much so that she had to come back out and tell the others that were with me, "It's okay, she's negative!" LOL Her words really struck a chord with me. I didn't change overnight, but the change did come, and I believe it was partially because of what she told me that day. I can't remember her name and may not even recognize her if I see her, but I am truly thankful for her.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

This is a topic that especially touches me because it has impacted both sides of my family, which of course increases my chances for having the disease. My Big Momma has survived this awful disease. My maternal grandmother and one of my aunts were not so lucky. It's something that I try not to think of too much. Instead, I focus on ways I can help contribute to finding a cure. Since I'm no scientist and have no idea what causes or cures this disease, I do what is in my power to do. I try to spread as much information about the disease as possible. I participate in events that help bring awareness to this issue and donate money to help find cures and provide treatment for those who have already been diagnosed. I urge all women to take the time to do those monthly check-ups! If you're like me, you play with the girls regularly anyway; make it fun AND useful!

Seriously ladies, know the facts. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women and 7th-leading cause overall. An estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the U.S. in 2009. An estimated 40,170 women will die.

The issue is even worse for black women. Although breast cancer has typically not been as common in black women, young black women who do have breast cancer are more likely to have a deadlier form of the disease. It is known as Triple-negative breast cancer and is more aggressive and harder to treat. Although this has been known for a few years, it has not been determined whether it is genetics or something that black women are "more prone to be around" that would expose us to this. It is also important to note that most diagnoses of breast cancer are made after menopause, the disease may develop as early as the 20s. So it is especially important that we are vigilant in our efforts to know our bodies and our boobies, and get those annual screenings.

Do your part! Participate in breast cancer walks, give donations to support breast cancer research, and make yourself and your loved ones aware of the risks.

Sites with more info, places to donate, and items for sale (proceeds go to cancer research):
CDC: Breast Cancer
American Cancer Society
Susan G. Komen
Yahoo! Health Breast Cancer Center
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The Breast Cancer Site
Save The Tatas