About TIHOPE
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide and advocate for equitable services for brown-skinned members of our communities, breast cancer survivors, patients and their families through financial support, education, encouragement and outreach.
You Need to Know!!
Breast Cancer Statistics
1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer! Black women have the highest breast cancer death rates and lowest 5-year survival rates compared to other racial and ethnic groups:
Death Rates
Black women have the highest breast cancer death rates of any racial or ethnic group. In 2020, the breast cancer death rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 26.4 per 100,000.
Age of Diagnosis
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age than White women. From 2017 to 2021, the median age of diagnosis for non-Hispanic Black women was 61, compared to 65 for non-Hispanic White women.
5-Year Survival
Black women have the lowest 5-year survival rate for every stage of diagnosis and breast cancer subtype. For example, only 78% of Black women survive at least 5 years after a regional stage diagnosis, compared to 88% of White women.
Breast Cancer Subtypes
Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype of the disease that's more common in younger Black women.
Check Your Breasts
Signs to check for breast cancer include:
- Lump or swelling: A new lump or swelling in the breast, armpit, or chest
- Skin changes: Dimpling, puckering, or thickening of breast skin, or redness, flakiness, or scaling of the nipple area
- Nipple changes: Nipple discharge, especially if it's bloody, or a nipple that looks flattened or inverted
- Breast pain: Pain in the breast or armpit that doesn't go away
- Breast size or shape: A change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
Black women of average risk should start getting yearly mammograms at age 40. If you're considered at higher risk, you may have a different screening timeline. Early detection and treatment can give you the best chance of survival.
Reduce Your Risk!
While not all breast cancers can be prevented, research shows that you can reduce your risk by: Staying physically active; Maintaining a healthy weight; Limiting alcohol; Breastfeeding if possible; and COMMUNICATE!!!