Thanks to a grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation (Houston), Positive Image Productions is proud to present a program that change lives, even save lives.

African Americans Battle Against Breast Cancer is the title of a 30-minute special that will air on television in Houston in October. This program raises awareness of the very serious state African Americans are in, when it comes to breast cancer.

As we began production back in the Spring, we were surprised really, to discover that breast cancer is being called an "epidemic" in the African American community. As the producer/host, I was alarmed to talk to breast health advocates who tell me "fear" is the number one problem in African Americans. Too many black women let fear decide their health, saying "I don't want to know." "I am afraid to die, so I didn't get checked." The consequences of fear are dire. What health experts are seeing in the African American community is a rising death rate of this disease and a trend toward women younger than 40 years old being diagnosed. That is a chilling development, but the good news is, there are steps we can take to fight this disease.

Early detection can save lives. If more African Americans would get mammograms (the recommended age is 40 but women with a family history should get mammograms earlier than age 40), do monthly self checks to become familiar with their breasts so they can report any unusual changes to their doctors and have a physician check their breasts during an annual physical exam, more breast cancer cases can be detected earlier and perhaps more lives saved.

Of course, there are always complications or unforseen circumstances, but we can use the knowledge and tools avaliable to us to fight back against breast cancer. The worst thing we can do is let fear determine our outcome.

So watch the promotional clip. Watch the show when it airs in October. Get educated. Tell a friend and loved one about early detection. It will save lives!

Cynthia Nickerson

Positive Image Productions, Inc.