African American women
talk breast cancer

LAFAYETTE - The event, sponsored by the YWCA, Susan G. Komen Foundation of Indianapolis and the Minority Health Coalition of Tippecanoe County, targeted black women because of how the disease affects their community.

"More Caucasian woman are affected by (breast) cancer, but more African Americans die from breast cancer, really struck me," said Melanie Wyche, a Lafayette resident.
 

The group viewed a video featuring a support group encouraging a friend with a family history of breast cancer to get tested. The goal was to dispel myths surrounding a woman's reason for not scheduling a mammogram. From that story, local women discussed educating themselves through
research, weighing health care options and finding a positive support system.

Another issue relating to testing for breast cancer was fear. As Lafayette resident Lisa Ford explains, many women have concerns about where they're tested.

"A lot of women are afraid to get the test because of previous experiences that they had at the doctor's office," said Ford.
 

The group also held a question and answer period with Louella Bangura, a Tippecanoe County medical doctor. She said while most women get tested for breast cancer at 40-years old, some may need to schedule an appointment earlier.

"If you have a family member who has had that (breast cancer) you go ten
years younger than the member that was diagnosed. So, if your mom was diagnosed with cancer in her 40s then you would have to be tested at 30," said Dr. Bangura.
 

Lafayette resident Melanie Wyche said all fears and myths aside, testing for breast cancer is vital.

"This just showed me that you should go get a mammogram regardless and it's better to know because you can't just fight it, said Wyche.

 The YWCA Women's Cancer Program provides low-cost or free screenings for breast and cervical cancers.