W/PIC

Women Unite To Promote Early Detection Of Breast Cancer Recently, thirty-six women between the ages of 35 and 75 took a mammogram as a means of early detection against breast cancer at First A.M.E. Church of Seattle. The event, which featured the Swedish Breast Care Express Coach, was as part of the newly created A.M.E. Church Women’s Mammogram Project. The Swedish Breast Care Express Coach is a full service, self-contained mammography clinic on wheels that is designed to serve women in under-served communities. It is equipped with a state-of-the-art digital mammogram detection machine with satellite capability to render an immediate diagnosis. Washington State ranks number one in the nation for the occurrence of breast cancer, and statistics indicate that African American women are more likely to die from breast cancer due to denial and late diagnosis. Risk factors include: family history, race, overweight, lack of exercise and advancing age. Attorney Nina Harding, a breast cancer survivor, invited the Swedish Breast Care Express Coach to the event sponsored by First A.M.E. Church. First A.M.E. plans to sponsor the A.M.E. Church Women’s Mammogram Project next year and to invite the five A.M.E. churches within King County as well as A.M.E. churches in Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties.