When it comes to being combative against breast cancer, it is said that the best protection is early detection.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the United States.
However, recent reports published by the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network indicate that rates of screening mammograms among women who’ve received breast cancer treatment have declined since 2009, especially among women ages 40 to 49, according to a study.
And while October is nationally observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, spreading awareness can’t begin and end there.
One breast cancer survivor can attest firsthand, in a compelling manner, to the benefits of early detection, which is why she urges women to make sure they schedule mammograms annually.
“In 2014, I got a mammogram and it was normal. In 2015 and 2016, I didn’t get it, but the reason why I got a mammogram in 2017 was because I had an in-law that had gotten diagnosed with breast cancer and it was detected pretty much through the mammogram,” said Arnitta Buchanan. “She was really adamant about us going to get a mammogram.”
Buchanan is a member of the Delta Cotton Belles — a non-profit organization that works to serve the needs in its communities from providing breast health education to the provision of services and support programs for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer — and is also known as a “Thriver.”
DCB’s Thrivers is a support group for women who are breast cancer survivors.
Although Buchanan’s 2017 mammogram results came back negative, the following year was when she noticed an abnormal lump in her breast.
“By having fibrocystic breasts, I had lumpy breasts anyway, especially around the time of my menstrual cycle. So, I always did the self examinations,” she shared. “Another thing is I didn’t have insurance as I was self-employed.”
Those details, along with the discomfort of the procedure due to her having a much smaller cup size, factored into Buchanan’s decision to put off her annual mammogram in the years 2015 and 2016 and her reluctance to have one in 2017.
To Buchanan, in retrospect, those were terrible reasons.
The lump she discovered during a self examination in 2018 concerned her and it was not yet time for her annual mammogram.
Months went by, and the lump became more painful, which prompted her to see her medical physician.
The doctor referred Buchanan for a mammogram and sonogram and the results showed she indeed had an abnormal lump.
“I asked my oncologist why it did not show up when I got my mammogram in 2017 because it was a four centimeter lump. He told me that sometimes when your breasts are dense or lumpy, it can’t be seen or it doesn’t pick it up,” she recalled. “That’s why I think it was manifesting then and it came with a vengeance when I started feeling it.”
Buchanan said further, “I think it’s very conducive to get a mammogram yearly and to do self examinations as well. Had I just ignored it, I wouldn’t be here talking about it today.”
According to the American College of Radiology, compared to pre-pandemic utilization, mammogram screenings, diagnostic mammograms, breast biopsies and cancer diagnosis were down by 63.7%, 42.1%, 52.7% and 51.3% respectively during the peak pandemic period, and rebounded to 85.3%, 97.8%, 91.5%, and 92.0% of pre-COVID levels, respectively.
For the many reasons why some women may decide to put off yearly mammograms, whether it be lack of transportation or insurance, that is where DCB steps in.
Currently, the Delta Cotton Belles is focused on the following key goals:
* To promote breast health awareness through education.
* To provide clinical breast screenings and mammograms for the working uninsured and under-insured in our region.
* To provide services not covered by insurance for individuals with breast cancer.
* To provide support programs for individuals with breast cancer.
DCB provides services to individuals who are working and are uninsured or under-insured in 10 counties throughout the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta including Washington, Bolivar, Humphreys, Grenada, Carroll, Issaquena, Sharkey, Sunflower, Leflore counties in Mississippi and Chicot County in Arkansas.
For more information or to reach Delta Cotton Belles, contact the organization by phone at 662-390-6009 or via email at deltacottonbelles@gmail.com.
History of Delta Cotton Belles
Delta Cotton Belles was established in 2007 after our founder, Beth McKnight, was diagnosed with stage IV Breast Cancer. Instead of letting the disease control her, she decided to fight it with all she had. In 2008, she and a group of close friends volunteered their time and began raising money to increase breast cancer awareness with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Research conducted by the Susan G. Komen foundation in 2007 concluded the Mississippi Delta has the highest incidences of stage III & IV breast cancer in Mississippi. The initial fundraising tennis tournament collected over $16,000. Once it was determined that the Komen Foundation could not guarantee the funds would remain in the Mississippi Delta, Beth established Delta Cotton Belles as its own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
