At War With Breast Cancer - Black Women - It's Time To Speak!: "No More Fear, Shame, Silence"

By Ms. Rita Muhammad

Both my mother and elder sister have been diagnosed with breast cancer. My mother lived more than 27 years beyond her prognosis of six months, and my sister continues to live more than 25 years cancer-free. After supporting and walking with both of them through their diagnosis and treatment, I truly felt more prepared to confront my own diagnosis.In July 2012, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy, DIEP abdominal flap surgery, chemotherapy, latissimus flap surgery and numerous plastic surgical procedures. I immediately began researching why this was happening at this time in my life. What I discovered, I began to share with other women who were also fighting breast cancer. We not only suffered and struggled physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Some expressed feelings of being afraid, not knowing what the future holds. There were some who felt their cancer diagnosis meant immediate, eminent death; yet others were simply ashamed that they had done something to bring this scourge upon themselves. By sharing our stories and encouraging one another we were able to become more informed about breast cancer. We were encouraged to investigate our own unique case of breast cancer and become more informed about what was happening to our individual bodies. My research revealed the statistical fact that breast cancer prevalence is higher in white women than in Black women. However, the death rate from breast cancer is 41% higher among Black women. I soon realized that what is killing Black women is not necessarily the disease of breast cancer. I realized what is primarily killing us is our fear, our shame and our silence about having breast cancer, coupled with the lack of access to quality health care and information. This is what has motivated me to write this book. I pray my book will encourage women to make some changes today before they are faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, for those who may have to fight it, please know that breast cancer is not necessarily a death sentence and we don't have to face it alone. We can use this diagnosis to empower our lives and the lives of others and fight the desire to feel sorry for ourselves, blame ourselves, blame God, or succumb to fear, shame or silence! Rita Muhammad is also the author of another book entitled, "At Home! Abroad".

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1503185192
• ISBN13: 9781503185197
• Release Date: November 2014
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.5" x 6.0"