Check More, Fear Less

Dr. April Speed Spencer, breast cancer surgeon and founder of the Global Breast Health & Wellness Center, shared these gems during our pre interview sessions for her special on BET Her:

• Black women are getting screened at a higher rate than white women but we do not follow up. 

• Following up after your diagnosis is equally as important as getting your annual mammogram. But many people allow fear to stop them from seeking treatment options. 

• Patients are scared because they jump right from diagnosis to mortality, when there is so much life between those two words. 

• There is a direct correlation between early detection and an increase in survival rate. But we don’t accept that. Instead, we get diagnosed; we get scared and we don’t follow up. And that behavior oftentimes leads to worse case scenarios.

• We have to overcome fear and make our wellness a priority. Otherwise, we are committing suicide. We have the lowest rate of seeking help after discovery.

• Post diagnosis can be summed up in ABC. Awareness, Behavior and Consumer choices.

• “A” focuses on the awareness of risk factors. “B” is the behavior we can adjust in order to be healthy, like working out and diet. And “C” represents consumer choices. We must read labels on the foods that we eat, as well as the beauty products that we use.  And then steer clear of any harmful ingredients. 

Dr. Speed Spencer (right) on set in Atlanta, GA with host Cathleen Trigg-Jones.