what you don't know
... can kill you

The Best Protection

Breast and Ovarian Cancer-

Risk Reduction Factors:

• Between the ages of 18 to 21 begin to do monthly (BSE) breast self exam
• Between the ages of 25 to 35 begin to do annual or semi-annual clinical breast exam
• Between the ages of 25 to 35 (or starting earlier, based on family history). The American Cancer Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have recommended the use of annual MRI screening for women at hereditary risk for breast cancer.
• Between the ages of 25 to 35 (or starting earlier, based on family history) get annual or semiannual trans-vaginal ultrasound to screen for ovarian cancer
• For women at higher risk for ovarian cancer get CA- 125 testing
• Some breast and ovarian cancer risks are beyond your control, like heredity and age.
• ‘Lifestyle choices,’ like eating the right foods in the right amounts, not smoking, and limiting your alcohol consumption, and are within your reach.
• Women who exercise regularly and lower their body fat can lower their risk of breast cancer.

Just For Men

• This group is generally at a low risk for breast cancer
• If you are a man who has HBOC, you should talk with your doctor about your medical management options.
• A regular monthly breast self-exam
• An annual clinical breast exam
• Mammography
• Following the screening guidelines for prostate cancer as advised by your doctor
• Talk with your doctor about pancreatic cancer screening if your family history shows an increased incidence of pancreatic tumors.

Caribbean American Breast Cancer Organization-

Mission Statement: 

To empower and educate Caribbean women of colour to improve their health status and adjust their mindset in an effort to attain happier, healthier, and more productive lives by emphasizing the importance of monthly self exams, yearly mammograms, regular exercise and proper daily diet. We seek to redefine how Caribbean American women incorporate wellness into their daily lives and positively impact the cancer veil of silence, the obesity epidemic, and the mental, emotional and spiritual well being of the Caribbean diaspora. Cabco USA is committed to shedding light on the devastating impact that breast cancer has on the Caribbean community.

Mind...Body...Spirit:

 CABCO provides many resources to assist survivors to be proactive by emphasizing the importance of monthly self exams, yearly mammograms, and proper daily diet.
But most importantly, in the fight against this terrible disease- breast cancer, CABCO wants to remind women and men to be proactive on all levels. The mental, emotional and  spiritual well-being must be attended to carefully to achieve long term positive results. To rid the body of any disease ( dis-ease) women and men must treat the mind and spirit as well.

Survivors are encouraged to cleanse the mind and spirit of old hurts, to dispel any anger that is being harbored in their hearts by forgiving and forgetting. Survivors are urged to purge their lives of negative  places and things, and to avoid toxic personalities.

Survivors must believe in their innate ability to contribute to their own healing process. They must see themselves getting better; they must believe in and visualize a return to health. These are some of the steps in the affirmative actions that survivors must be inspired to take on their own behalf. Survivors must see themselves better regardless of how they feel. There are days when this will be virtually impossible to do, but they must.

There are two sides to every coin.  Remember survivors that on the flip side of your illness stands good health... it is not impossible to attain- reach for it. In the darkest moments of their illness survivors must believe their hardest in the return of good health and they must affirm it daily.

Profile:

Cabco offers sanctuary and support to those who need it, information and righteous indignation to those  who seek it, and comfort and hope to all.

    Cabco promotes daily prayers and meditation, positive affirmations, laughter, music, fun entertainment and games.

    As we stand firmly united in our fight against the beast that is breast cancer, breast cancer survivors are reminded to stay strong and proactive and are strongly encouraged to heal  body, mind, and spirit.

     Here at CABCO you can click on links to sites that offer mainstream medical information and alternative medicines.
 
    
    Caribbean American Breast Cancer Organization is a support for and encouragement to  breast cancer survivors- male & female.

Caribbean American Breast Cancer Organization- will provide resources and facilitate workshops to help to ensure more support and comprehensive treatments, quality care and advocacy programs to address the many side- effects issues faced by survivors of cancer.

Side-effects must be recognized for what it is- a debilitating and continuous occurrence of pain and suffering resulting from chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Side-effects from cancer treatments (chemotherapy & Radiation) change the quality of life and challenge the survivor daily. These side effects cause physical and mental pains and major discomfort, physical and neurological  limitations, depression, job loss, stress, and anxiety.  Side- effects, like cancer, also impact  family, friends and employers and relationships negatively.

Cabco  focuses attention on  how the survivor functions  physically, economically, spiritually, socially, neurologically, emotionally, and psychologically. Cabco addresses the importance of  counseling and care that must be extended beyond the chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

Side-effects must be recognized for what it is- a debilitating and continuous occurrence of medical ailments resulting from chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

I speak to the black experience, but I am always talking about the human condition -- about what we can endure, dream, fail at, and still survive. Maya Angelou