Breast Cancer! We've all heard about it. It's a subject we usually try to avoid. Talk about any type of cancer is likely to be avoided. But breast cancer is the number one cause of death for black women. That's a fact.

Although white woman are more likely to get breast cancer, black women are 2.2 times more likely to die from the disease.

There are many risk factors and many ways to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. There are also things that cannot be prevented which increase the risk. Perhaps the biggest risk is age.

For women over the age of 40, the chance of getting breast cancer increases greatly. In fact, two-thirds of breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50. One out of eight women today will get breast cancer or already has it. Early menarche (age when your periods begins) and late menopause increases risks of breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the abnormal growth of cells within the breast, a malignant tumor. This can usually be seen or felt on the breast as a lump. There are some hereditary risks involved as well. Women from families that have a long line of breast cancer are likely to get it as well. Women are also more likely to get breast cancer if their mother and/or sister has it and/or got it at an early age.
Exposure to radiation, active or passive tobacco smoking and certain pesticides are all known to increase the risk of breast cancer. Also, if a women already has breast cancer in one breast she is likely to get it in the opposite breast as well.

Black women tend to have more aggressive breast cancer at early ages and benefit from early detection and strong treatment. Detection of breast cancer is part of the problem in the black community. Many women simply over look it. Women need to start doing breast self examinations (BSE) as soon as they develop their breasts in order to check for breast cancer.

Women should do a BSE 7-10 days before their menstrual cycle. If their cycle isn't regular, they should do a BSE at the same time each month.

Another way to check for breast cancer is to have a mammogram. A mammogram is a soft tissue x-ray of the breast which may be used to evaluate a lump or which may be used as a screening test in women with no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. The mammogram finds suspicious looking lumps. To find out if they have breast cancer for certain, a patient will need to go to a specialist who will take samples from the lump and analyze it for cancer. Women should start having mammograms annually at age of 40.

There are also ways to prevent the risk of breast cancer from getting too high. Smoking, drinking alcohol and dietary fat intake all increase cancer risks. Studies of Black women show that high dietary fat and the tendency toward obesity may increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

What are the necessary precautions against breast cancer? Nothing is for sure, but women can still check to see if they may have the disease and seek treatment at an early stage.

1. Start by standing in front of a mirror. Inspect each breast separately. Note any asymmetry of size, contour, color, or shape.

2. Raise your hands over your head. Note any changes, particularly in the skin, such as wrinkling, dimpling, or retraction in a specific area.

3. Lie down with a pillow under your right shoulder and place your right arm behind your head.

4. Place the finger pads of the three middle fingers of the left hand on the outer part of your bare right breast.

5. Using small dime-sized circular motions without lifting your fingers, press first with light pressure then with medium pressure, and finally with firm pressure. You should be able to feel different layers of breast tissue using these different pressures. Make note of any masses or abnormalities that you feel.

6. In this same fashion, examine all areas of the breast and chest area from the collarbone to below the breast and including the armpit. You can do this by going in lines, circles around the nipple, or wedges from the nipple. Whichever method you choose, do it the same each time.

7. Once you are finished examining the breast, gently squeeze the nipple and look for any discharge. (Note: Over stimulation of the nipple may cause a normal discharge).

8. Switch positions and examine the left side in the same way.

The Black Art shop is a family business co-owned by the husband and wife team of Mike and Phebeit Ingram. Mike hails from Jackson, MI. Phebeit was born in New York but raised in Lansing from age seven. She is an Eastern High School graduate. The couple will be married 19 years in October.

A love for Black art has been a driving force. “I have a passion for Black art. I like to see us on our walls,” said Phebeit. “There are so many untapped artists who bring pride to our people in the way they display and represent us to the world.”

Ten years ago the enterprising couple began picking up Black art from little shops they discovered during their travels. As their collection grew, they began hosting art sales at their home. “About 2 1/2 years ago, Mike decided that we needed to stop selling out of our house,” Phebeit said. So Shining Accessories opened its doors at 804 W. Willow Street but the need for more space to display the ever expanding collection forced them into this recent relocation.

The art shop has something for everyone. With prices as low as $10.00 and some pieces selling for more than $1,000.00. . . “You don’t have to go to Detroit, New York City or Atlanta . . . you can find good quality Black art right here in Lansing,” Phebeit said.

Shining Accessories is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thurday 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Phone: (517) 272-0522.