October is breast cancer awareness month. Did you know the state of Ohio ranks fourth in the country for women who die from breast cancer?
According to the Susan G. Komen website, it's the most common cancer among African-American women. This year 8,000 African-American women will be diagnosed in Cuyahoga County alone.
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The Victory in Pink program is a partnership between the Cleveland Clinic and Lady Victory Vernon of the Word Church.
The program sends a clear message: They want women to know that early detection, screening, and mammograms save lives.
Victory in Pink targets churches and community organizations in Cuyahoga County and Summit County.
Why is this program needed?
For African-American women, the risk of getting breast cancer is lower than white women, but the risk of dying from it is higher.
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The program's mission is to decrease the mortality rate by getting women screened and diagnosed early.
To date, the program has screened over 500 women in its three-year existence.
Women should not feel guilty about a change in their insurance plans or job loss because the Victory in Pink program screens women regardless of their ability to pay.
African-American women have more delays in follow-up exams after an abnormal mammogram, which also contributes to low survival rates.
Through the VIP program, women get a six month follow up where Cleveland Clinic doctors monitor patients for any changes.
For more information, click here.
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