Although the incidence of breast cancer is lower among African American women, a major difference exists between Caucasian women and African American women in survival rates and the stage at which the disease is detected. African American women are more often diagnosed at a more advanced stage of disease, and therefore have a lower relative survival rate. Low participation in breast screening is a contributing factor. Knowing that only 54 percent of African American women over the age of 50 have had a mammogram and a clinical breast exam within the past two years, Shore Regional Breast Center realized there had to be a better way to get the message out to African American women in our community. Through the tireless efforts of the Breast Center's outreach worker, Mattie Fountain of St. Michaels, more women are hearing about breast cancer than ever before.
People are scared of the unknown.
My job is to help them understand about breast cancer screening and to help them face their fears. We have support groups, gatherings and a new Breast Center to help women who are diagnosed. By taking the message to the African American women in our community, Fountain hopes to help alleviate some of the fears and myths about breast cancer that have been perpetuated over the years. She initially became involved as an outreach worker in the Wellness for Women Program through the Talbot County Health Department. From there, Fountain worked as an outreach worker in the Wellness for Women Program at Shore Health System's Regional Cancer Center.