DAVENPORT, Iowa — UnityPoint Health Trinity and Gilda's Club teamed up for a breast cancer awareness event called Pink Party for a Purpose. Women got to enjoy music, dancing, crafts and education on breast cancer, which was hosted at the Lincoln Center.
Dr. Teresa Pangan with UnityPoint Health Trinity oncology said the event was focused on connecting with the Black community, as Black women have a 40% higher cancer death rate when compared to white women. "The diagnosis in many cases is later stage, so the tumor is larger, so the treatment options are less," Pangan said.
Volunteer Bettina McWilliams faced her own struggles with the disease. "My family has been affected by breast cancer. I've had two sisters and a niece to lose their lives at very early ages," she said. "We want to respect survivors and those who have lost loved ones like myself, but also remind us, we can do this in their memory. Getting ourselves checked. Getting information that we need."
"At age 25 you should have a comprehensive breast health assessment with your provider," Dr. Pangan said. "Annual mammograms with normal risk start at age 40 and you want to keep them yearly."
"It was a complete and utter devastation, but I know that Lynda, and Carmen, and Mickey, would want me to do exactly what I'm doing tonight," McWilliams said.
Doctors also said the average diagnosis age is earlier: age 60 for Black women compared to age 63 for white women. Black women are also twice as likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer compared to white women.