Dedication to the memory of Maxine Jenkins Thomas and Evelyn Mae White

It’s that time of year again ladies, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month but actually women should be doing breast exams monthly.  Having lost family to breast cancer I strongly support the awareness of this killer.  One in Eight get breast cancer, there has been a decrease in deaths since 1990 because of early detection, treatment, and healthier lifestyles.  In America, breast cancer deaths are higher than all other cancers except lung. 

The good news is women are living longer with the disease; there are some precautions to reduce risks. Breast exams, limited drinking of alcohol, exercise daily (at least weekly), reduce caffeine, sugar, processed food (creates toxins in the body), and of course NOT SMOKE.

White women are more likely to develop breast cancer than Black, Hispanic, and Asian women. But Black women are more likely to develop more aggressive, advanced-stage breast and have a higher death rate. The poor often receive substandard health care, or lack knowledge of symptoms and prevention.  We also have higher health risks with other diseases such as heart disease, hypertension/high blood pressure due to many factors.  I believe our lifestyle habits are not as healthy as our ancestors; social issues like racism with sexism causes higher stress levels; we consume a lot of processed foods, fast food, and pork.  Other risk factors are genetics/heredity, being overweight, age, smoking, exposure to environmental toxins (like plastics, cosmetics).

We can’t live our life in a plastic sterile bubble, nor avoid some type of processed food, unless we are eating out our own gardens. However as with most diseases there are positive steps we can take to ensure a healthier life.  Minister Elijah Muhammad published “How to eat to live” I suggest reading and researching healthy changes, pay attention to what you eat, and evaluate your own lifestyle.  Ask yourself am I exercising enough? Eating a lot of junk food?  Cooking proper meals and drinking a lot of water instead of soda, and alcohol?

When we take care of our mind and body we feed our soul.  Hope this was helpful and thought provoking while being an enjoyable read!

Peace, Love and Strength.

Take care

T. Davis