Affiliate Spotlight

CIRCLE OF PROMISE

Although breast cancer continues to impact people from all backgrounds, there are significant differences within the mortality rates among racial groups. During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were about equal, but during 2001-2005 African American women had a 37 percent higher death rate.

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise has pledged to do our part to ensure that African American women are empowered with the information and tools they need to take charge of their own health and serve as ambassadors in their local communities. The Circle of Promise movement is designed to engage African American women to help end breast cancer forever by fostering increased awareness, support, empowerment and action.

STOMP FOR THE CURE

Stomp for the Cure was born out of a need for more outreach in the African American community in Central Oklahoma.  Working with the Urban League, the Links, and Komen's Circle of Promise program, our Affiliate hopes to break down some of the barriers African American women face when it comes to dealing with breast cancer.  We join these groups in making a promise to end breast cancer forever, for everyone.  The second annual Stomp for the Cure is scheduled for Saturday, March 10, 2012. Time and location information coming soon.  We are seeking volunteers, sponsors, and stomp teams.  REGISTER YOUR TEAM TODAY.

African American Breast Cancer Statistics

Incidence
An estimated 19,540 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2011.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American women.
The incidence rate of breast cancer is about 10 percent lower in African American women than in white women however among younger African American women (under age 40), the incidence is higher than among white women.

Mortality
An estimated 6,020 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women in 2011.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women, exceeded only by lung cancer.
During the early 1980s, breast cancer death rates for white and African American women were about equal, but during 2001-2005 African American women had a 37 percent higher death rate.

Survival
From 1996-2004, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer among AfricanAmerican women was 77 percent, compared with 90 percent among white women. The difference may be attributed to both late stage at detection and poorer stage specific survival.
Fiftyone percent of all breast cancers diagnosed among AfricanAmerican women are at a local stage, compared to 62 percent among white women.

Screening
In 2005, the proportion of African American women aged 40 and older who reported getting a mammogram within the past two years was 64.9 percent. However, only 49.9 percent of African American women reported having a mammogram within the past year.

For more information on how you can get involved with Stomp for the Cure, please call our office at 405-526-2873 or email events@komencentralwesternok.org.