FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 17, 2019 • WELLNESS • THE QUEENS COURIER 41
Improving breast cancer outcomes
for older women
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
is commissioner of the New York City
Department for the Aging. Prior to
joining the de Blasio administration,
she served in executive leadership
roles with AARP, EmblemHealth and
other organizations. She also served
as New York’s first Latina Secretary
of State.
This October, which is Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, I want
to highlight the importance of early
detection and treatment –
especially for older women and
women of color who do not get
annual exams. Time and again,
studies show that race, age and
income often lead to health
disparities and poor outcomes. I know
because I am an 18-year breast cancer
survivor.
This simply won't do. All women
deserve quality care. I found out
that I had breast cancer during a
routine visit to my gynecologist. I
was overwhelmed and shocked by
the diagnosis, as were my friends
and family. Cancer is a disease that
impacts all of your loved ones and
their support is invaluable during
such a trying time. Thanks to my
treatment, which included six
chemotherapy and eight radiation
therapy sessions, I am one of the
lucky ones who beat cancer.
Still, not every woman is as
fortunate. As women age, they may
also believe that there is no need
for continued breast cancer
screenings, but nothing could be
further from the truth. Self-exams,
clinical breast exams,
mammograms and MRIs are
powerful tools to detect cancer
early. This spares many women
from the effects of prolonged
treatment and even death.
According to the National
Cancer Institute, nearly 13% of
U.S.-born women will receive a
breast cancer diagnosis from a
doctor at some point. The risk only
increases with age. In fact, 1 in 28
women starting at age 60 is likely
to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
That increases to 1 in 25 starting at
age 70.
Some people show no signs or
symptoms of having breast
cancer, but routine screenings
can help your doctor detect
breast cancer early, when it is
easier to treat. Most insurance
plans cover mammograms
without a copay, but if you don’t
have insurance, you can find
affordable health care through NYC
Care (https://www.nyccare.nyc/). To
find a low- or no-cost
mammogram screening site in
your area, call 311.
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