Reed Was Impacted by Breast Cancer Early in Life

Reed says her dance with breast cancer began when she was just 18. “My mother, who had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease, lost her battle when she was 40,” Reed says.

But the pain of that kind of loss revisited her family. When her younger sister was diagnosed with the same aggressive form of breast cancer. This was the first glamour shoot Reed did for a woman living with breast cancer. “It brought her such joy,” Reed says. Unfortunately, she passed away at age 38.

“Then, at age 33, my older sister was also diagnosed, but miraculously, she continues to fight her own battle,” the photographer adds.

Her  Diagnosis, Her Own Story

“Our family history was a stark reminder of the importance of early detection and being vigilant,” Reed says. “I have always been proactive about my health, especially regarding breast cancer.”

Reed, who was a breast imaging tech doing mammograms before she became a successful photographer, says, “I started getting mammograms at 30 and kept up with them religiously for nearly 15 years. It went from routine to reality in November of 2021. “I received an unexpected callback for additional images and, of course, anxiety set in,” Reed says. Soon, she faced the daunting prospect of a biopsy.

“The irony was that I had spent over 15 years working in breast imaging and was now on the other side of the exam table,” Reed adds.

Black Women and Breast Cancer By the Numbers

As the rates of breast cancer overall are going down, rates of aggressive and invasive breast cancer in Black and Brown women continue to rise, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). According to BCRF, in 2025, more than 319,750 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (also known as stage 0 breast cancer) will be diagnosed in women in the United States. While there has been an overall 44 percent decline in breast cancer deaths since 1989—thanks to gains in awareness, earlier diagnoses, and more effective treatments—there is a persistent mortality gap between Black women and white women.

Reed’s Diagnosis and Treatment

“My diagnosis was invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1, Triple Positive – considered one of the more manageable forms of breast cancer,” Reed says. “I was given the option of 12 weeks of chemotherapy, and if I chose a mastectomy, I could avoid radiation.” The photographer chose that form of treatment and has had five surgeries to date.

“While I couldn’t control my diagnosis, I could control my attitude and approach to this challenging journey.”

The mom, wife, and sister says, that her strong faith helped her navigate the treatment that got her through to the other side. She says the support of her husband and two teen sons was invaluable. “I held a steadfast belief that I was healthy, before each test, and that I would remain healthy. My body was, and still is, a remarkable healing machine,” she adds.

Making Breast Cancer Patients Feel Beautiful is Even More Important to Her Now

Reed has also remained focused on bringing beauty and joy to other women living with breast cancer through her photography, even while she was still in treatment.

She never forgot the joy that the experience of being a cover girl gave her sister. The aspiring creative partnered with the local Breast Cancer Resource Center of Central Texas to conduct the photo shoots. “I have the nonprofit choose the women who will participate, and I bring together a team that pampers them and creates legacy photos for them and their family.” I am honored to be a part of their journey.

Even though Reed acknowledges that her journey hasn’t been easy, she says, My breast cancer journey has also been marked by resilience, hope, and a strong mindset.

“I hope my story inspires other women facing similar battles to stay positive, proactive, and determined,” she says.

Resources

Breast Cancer Resource Fund

Understanding Ductal Cancer Carcinoma in Situ

Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer

The post Seeing Breast Cancer Through a New Lens appeared first on Black Health Matters.

While it is too early to definitively say, this has the potential to be a game changer for millions of Americans, especially for Black Americans who have the highest incidence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the U.S., according to the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

This year, several studies were published on the ability to reduce risks for dementia in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA). Further research continues to see if the vaccines stop or delay the development of dementia and for how long.

Both vaccines have successfully protected against the varicella zoster virus and the excruciating shingles rash that comes with it. However, neither was developed to specifically prevent or delay dementia.

What is Shingles and Why Get Vaccinated?

The source of the Herpes Zoster virus that causes shingles is the same one that causes chickenpox. Once a person gets chickenpox, usually as a child, the virus remains dormant in the body for years. And while not everyone who has had chickenpox gets shingles in later years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that nearly a million people get the painful shingles rash yearly.

Shingles is known for its symptoms, which include blisters and burning, itchy rashes that appear on one side of the body and face, headaches, tiredness, high fevers, and nausea. While the blisters can take a month or longer to heal, the pain can last months longer.

Linda Marcus, 67, from Detroit, says she had a severe bout of shingles before she could get vaccinated. “It was awful. The blisters were so bad that I had a hard time wearing clothes,” Marcus said. “I kick myself for waiting.” When her doctor told her that she could get shingles again, she got vaccinated and was so glad. “And now I see the news that it may protect me from Alzheimer’s, I am really grateful,” Linda says she lost several family members to dementia.

Primary care physicians recommend that people over 50 get the vaccine to protect against the virus. The CDC’s current vaccine recommendation is Shingrix, a two-dose vaccine that has been shown to be more effective in prevention than Zostavax, an older medication. Recent studies also show that Shingrix may improve the potential benefits and risk reduction around dementia, while both vaccines show promise.

One of the recent studies, from Stanford, published in the journal JAMA. It found that patients who were given Zostavax were less likely to be diagnosed with dementia in the next 7.4 years than those who were not. Pascal Geldsetzer, a Stanford University epidemiologist and one of the study’s authors, said the “study collected data on over 18,400 people in their 70s and 80s.”

One significant change in shingles prevention in this country is that the CDC now recommends the Shingrix vaccine for people 50 and older.  Shingrix is thought to boost the body’s preventative immune response. Physicians are recommending that their patients now get the newer two-dose Shingrix, even if they had the single-dose Zostavax several years ago. Most health insurances, including Medicare, will pay for the two-dose Shingrix vaccine.

And while most of the significant studies were done on patients who got Zostavax, another study suggests that Shingrix might have even stronger protective effects. Another recent study was done on 103,000 people in the U.S. The results were published in 2024 in the journal Nature Medicine. According to the study, in the six years following vaccination, people who got the Shingrix shot were 18 percent less likely to get a dementia diagnosis than people who got Zostavax. The maker of Shingrix, GSK, plans to conduct more studies to study the link between their vaccine and dementia risk.

All of the published studies agree that they have not yet followed people long enough to determine how long the effects will last. While researchers continue to explore the short—and long-term benefits of these vaccines in preventing dementia, healthcare providers who see patients on a daily basis say that they are the best tool we have for preventing shingles now.

So, talk to your doctor about getting your shingles vaccinations as soon as possible.

Resources

Zostavax

Shingrix

Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Journal of the American Medical Association

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

 journal JAMA

Nature Medicine.

The post Can a Shingles Vaccine Reduce Your Risk for Dementia? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Breast cancer is the number one cause of death among Black women in the U.S. In fact, according to the study. Black women under age 75 have a 38 percent higher mortality rate than their white counterparts

Unfortunately, this is consistent with poor health outcomes from Black women in areas such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, diabetes, and maternal mortality.

The report suggests that the same things that have improved overall cancer mortality rates, including better and earlier screening and aggressive treatment and clinical trials, have not been as accessible to Black women in this country. Health equity advocates are sounding the alarm on behalf of Black women.

Ifeoma Udoh, Executive Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Science  at the Black Women’s Health Imperative, says that the screening standards set by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF)’s recommendations “often overlook the specific health needs of Black women.”

The official updated guidelines suggest screening every two years beginning at age 40, a change from previous recommendations that recommended starting at age 50. Being screened and diagnosed earlier has marked progress, but Udoh says it isn’t enough. She says, “It insufficiently addresses the unique challenges and earlier risks faced by Black women.” Often, Black women develop more aggressive cancers, and often at younger ages.

Magnolia Contreras, Vice President of Community Health at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston, says many reasons for the disparities in health outcomes must be addressed. Some are about access, and others could be physical. “Often, Black women have denser breasts,” she says, which can make them harder to screen. “We have hope for continued progress in treatment because science is moving so fast,” Contreras says.

She and Udoh agree that there is a vital role for clinical trials that include Black women. Historically, Black women have not participated in trials and are significantly included in data gathering and analysis.

While advances are being made in cancer treatment, Udoh says, “trials that don’t have a large enough cohort of Black women won’t have enough data.” She says the data should not be generalized—in other words, there is no one sized fits all. “it will take institutions to double down on behalf of Black, Brown, urban and rural women,” and with the uncertainties in federal funding of research and access to care, within the new administration things could get worse. “But we must remember that the Feds are not the only sources of funding.”

Contreras says that DFCI works closely with individuals and communities on access and affordability. She also says that DFCI has a valuable confidential tool on its website called Assess Your Risk that can help any woman assess her potential risk for breast and cervical cancer. “Women can print it out and share it with their own providers,” Conteras says.

Consider the ways that you can manage your risks on your own.

• Here’s what you need to consider doing starting now
• Take time to know your family health history.
• Does cancer run in your family?

Talk to family members on both sides of your family.

• Many women make the mistake of only looking into their mother’s side of their families.
• But breast cancer risks can be passed down from the paternal side of your family.
• Find a doctor or provider you feel comfortable with and set regular appointments. It is always best to have that first visit before you need it. While you are there, schedule your annual mammogram.

Financially, it is easier to get screened if you have health care coverage through your employer, Medicaid, or Medicare.

• But if you are currently uninsured, check out your options within the Affordable Care Act or programs in the community that offer low or no-cost mammograms and other cancer screenings. Many areas even have mobile mammogram vans that offer free screenings.,

 Tweak your wellness and lifestyle.

• Clean your diet by reducing salt, sugar, and processed foods, including sodas. Give up smoking, manage stress, and get into a regular exercise routine to reduce your risk for heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other chronic diseases.
• Also, reduce your consumption of alcohol, which can increase your cancer risks.

The post When Cancer Rates Drop, But Not For Black Women appeared first on Black Health Matters.

When Obama’s office sent out a short and sweet press release stating that her husband would attend the Inauguration, but she would not, that was all she needed to say and all we needed to hear. There was a big PERIODT at the end of the sentence.

Now, it is left to our imagination, I suppose, to speculate as to why she has gone MIA. Keep guessing. She said what she said—I ain’t going. THE END. Maybe we need to try it when we have had enough.

2024 was rough on us all. Coming into this new year, we must shape our priorities and boundaries for self-care and well-being. By the end of 2024, I was pretty shaken, stressed, and anxious. I was everywhere and saying yes to everything. One of my own goals is to believe that “NO” is a complete sentence.

When she said it, we tired, politically stressed, and broken-hearted Black women got it, and it emboldened us. She didn’t owe us the obligatory stuff we tell people when we don’t want to go somewhere or do something. There is no need for “no but,” or “no, and.”

Now, we could be reading too much into it. Maybe she is planning on a migraine and knows she won’t be up to it. Or maybe she knew that the whole Game of Thrones thing would make her sick. It makes me ill just thinking about it. Look, it’s no longer her Black job.

Now, I will say that I will miss getting one of those dazzling, show-stealing Michelle Obama moments we all wait for. I am still thinking about the last Inauguration when she broke the internet without saying a word—that hair, that Sergio Hudson burgundy pantsuit. I forgot that the Bidens were moving into the White House. I even forgot that Kamala Harris was being sworn in as the first Black and South Asian Vice President. It was all about her out there slaying.

Since leaving the White House, a lot has changed for her. She has had to adjust to a new normal as a bestselling author, speaker, and executive producer.

She’s an empty nester who lost her beloved mother in 2024. If you have had that kind of loss, you know how hard it is to get back on your feet.

She was reluctant to get on the campaign trail again, but she was spectacular when she got out there for Vice President Harris, leaving nothing on the podium. She was a voice for all of us who have had to be assaulted by racism, sexism, and genderism in this country. The weight is heavy.

So, when she said no, without explanation, I took it to heart in my own life. The moment you explain your position, you have already lost. People will tell you why that’s not a good idea. We need to have a line in the sand as we find our footing in when, where, and how we show up. We all need an off-ramp.

The Black women I have talked to are over it, too. We are just bone tired of showing up for a country, a job, or a community that won’t show up for us.

There is no cavalry. We are the cavalry. It has been hard on us. We have to take care.

This is the perfect time to begin weighing your reasons for saying no. How often have you said yes when your whole spirit said no? We have not been socialized to say yes to ourselves. Please take a note from Michelle Obama’s page: We don’t owe anybody an explanation regarding self-care. I love that for her and us.

The takeaways moving forward.

• Set your boundaries regarding what matters and how you spend your time.
• Honor your power to decide what is right and healthy for you.
• Give yourself permission to say no, unapologetically—or yes.
• Distance yourself from people and places that are energy-zapping and move toward your joy and healing.

The post Like Michelle Obama, No, We Ain’t Going appeared first on Black Health Matters.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), alcohol use has been shown to have links to head, mouth and throat, esophagus, liver, colorectal, and stomach cancers. It has also been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer in women. There is also evidence that drinking alcohol increases the risk of prostate and pancreatic cancer.

They estimate that 5.5 percent of new cancer diagnoses and 5.8 percent of cancer deaths worldwide are attributable to alcohol consumption. While data suggests that Caucasians consume more alcoholic beverages than any other racial and ethnic group in the US, Black Americans have a greater rate of alcohol-related cancers.

Jennifer Edwards Johnson, DO, MPH, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, says, “We have known for a while that moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to cancer.” According to Dr. Edwards Johnson, the more drinks consumed seem to have more impact on risks than the type of liquor you drink. The NCI data suggests that all alcoholic beverages, including red and white wine, beer, and liquor, are linked with cancer. Their studies show that just one drink a day can raise your risks. Data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that nearly 5.5 percent of all new cancer diagnoses and 5.8 percent of all deaths from cancer can be attributed to alcohol consumption.

How Much is Too Much?

Dr. Edwards Johnson says the standard consumption for women is one drink per day. Two drinks per day is considered standard consumption for men. “Nothing is risk-free,” she adds. Dr. Edwards Johnson says that the risks are less associated with the kind of alcohol consumed and more tied to the amount and frequency over time.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a standard alcoholic drink in the United States contains 14.0 grams (0.6 ounces) of pure alcohol. Generally, this amount of pure alcohol is found in:

• 12 ounces of beer
• 8–10 ounces of malt liquor
• 5 ounces of wine
• 1.5 ounces, or a “shot,” of 80-proof distilled spirits (liquor)

However, the level of consumption and frequency can raise a woman’s risk. According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if a man and woman drink the same amount of alcohol, the woman will usually have a higher blood alcohol level. And not only do women typically experience the immediate effects of alcohol more quickly than men.

But stopping cold turkey won’t necessarily stop your cancer risks—at least not right away. Most studies found that stopping alcohol consumption is not a guarantee of immediate reductions in cancer risk. It may take years for the risks of cancer to return to those of never-drinkers.

If you want to reduce your risks, Dr. Edwards Johnson says,” the best thing is to avoid alcohol consumption altogether.” And if that doesn’t suit your lifestyle, she suggests that you “uncouple your drinking from your habits and rituals.” And she says it is essential to look at why you are drinking.

“Some people report that they drink because it helps them relax. For others, it is a part of their culture and socialization,” she says. “You must weigh out the risks versus the benefits of drinking. Dr. Edwards Johnson says that if you can break the habit of moderate to high alcohol consumption, not only will you reduce your cancer risks, “you will also reduce the liquid calories you take in and reduce your risk for diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and stroke as well. “

The post Does That Glass of Wine Raise Your Cancer Risks? appeared first on Black Health Matters.

You will make your options much more accessible and reduce your stress around enrollment if you start doing your homework at least three to six months before enrolling. Just remember that Medicare enrollment is not optional or automatic. You must sign up, even if you are not retiring until you are 66 or older. You can enroll three months before your birthday or up to three months after, but there are financial penalties if you don’t sign up on time.

How Do You Decide Beyond Enrollment?

Aside from enrolling, you will have many decisions to make that will determine the kind of healthcare coverage you get. Make a list of everything you know about your current health conditions and the medications you are on. It might be an excellent time to visit your doctor to get screened for diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic disease.

When looking at coverage, don’t overlook your family health history as you contemplate your future health needs. While many people only look at their current health, most people heading into 65 already know that things can change at a moment’s notice. No real crystal ball can predict what will happen or what you will need as you age. Every day has the potential to present a new ache, pain, or diagnosis. To gamble on having less coverage than we have now with our employer-sponsored plan.

We have all heard horror stories of the choices that older people on fixed incomes must make between high-cost medications and services and food.

Medicare Choices

Let’s start with the Original Medicare, known as Part A. It is the basic and premium-free coverage that the government requires once you turn 65. It covers inpatient, hospitalization, and short-term care in a skilled nursing facility, usually at 80 percent, after a deductible of around $1,400 for the first day of care.

“Part B addresses doctor visits and preventative care, including screenings and treatment. The standard premium starts at approximately $147 a month,” Edward McFarland, a Medicare specialist, explains. Note that Medicare Part B only pays for medically necessary procedures and does not cover dental care.

The Medicare Advantage plans are the one-stop plans that combine everything into one plan. You must still enroll in Medicare’s Parts A and B, but the Advantage plans are run through private insurers. They could include dental and vision care coverage, telemedicine, and other services, depending on what you select and how much you can afford to pay. Some plans do not require extra fees. Open enrollment for most Medicare Advantage enrollees ended March 31, but changes can be made again in November 2024 for 2025.

Part D is the easiest to remember because this is the much-needed drug coverage. Most Part D plans have an annual deductible, about 25 percent of your annual drug costs, until you hit the $2,500 cap.

McFarland says, “Look carefully at your medication needs.” Once you are enrolled, you can make changes to your Medicare options once a year.

Yet Medicare doesn’t cover everything. One big discussion is on the new weight loss drugs, such as Wegovy, that have made an impact on obesity. Medicare just approved coverage for people who are overweight and obese and also are at high risk of heart attack or stroke. The out-of-pocket expenses for this class of medications, without coverage, is over $1,000 per month.

In addition, it has improved and expanded preventative care programs that pay for office visits, screenings such as colon and breast cancer, mental health screening, and vaccines.

Where to Get the Best Information

Figuring out what makes medical and financial sense for you should start with a call to Medicare at 800-772-1213. One of their trained specialists can help you understand your needs for your situation and circumstances. The good news is that specialists are available by phone 24 hours a day. Or go to www.medicare.gov for more information.

Also, visit the State’s Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). It’s a free resource that provides information on the state’s free services and programs. Find the state’s website and connect with a counselor who can guide you through the options.

Note: Consider helping your parent or loved one negotiate these decisions. 

The post Turning 65 Soon? Understand Your Medicare Options appeared first on Black Health Matters.

Moore says it is important to do your homework and zero in on your “why” before jumping into the “what” of any big goal.

What Are You Willing to Do?

“One of the first things I do when working with a client is to address why they want to make this change and their level of commitment,” Moore says. “We can agree that working out or changing up your diet is a good thing for your health or losing weight, but if you aren’t fully committed and focused, you aren’t going to stick with it,” she says.

“If your commitment and what you are willing to do consistently isn’t at a nine or a ten, you need to keep digging,” Moore says. She suggests that If you aren’t willing or able to focus on your big goals fully, ask yourself what smaller things you are willing to do to chip away at them. Moore uses the example of a person who says he or she wants to lose 20 pounds. “Dig in deeper with questions about your commitment, like what are you really willing to do?”

She says it is more than chasing a number on the scale. “What will losing 20 pounds do for your life or what will it allow you to do that you can’t do now?”

The next step, Moore says, is to address the barriers that have held you back when you tried to reach your goals in the past. Whether it is weight loss, stress management, or even career goals, you need to be able to see and address the big rocks and the small ones in your path. Look at the things that got in your way and what you are committed to doing to move forward, even after a stumble.

Use Your “Why” As Motivation

“Once you can understand the “why” and prioritize its importance, it gives you a focus and power,” Moore says. “If losing 10 pounds or 20 pounds allows you to play with your grandchildren without hurting yourself, you have a reason to push forward.” According to Moore, “it is never just about the numbers. It’s about how the work and results can benefit your life and what you want to do in the future.

Moore, who has worked with athletes, entrepreneurs, and others with many goals, works with them from a holistic perspective. “It’s never just about lifting weights or cardio, but about how you integrate these changes into improving your life.

Set Realistic Benchmarks

Moore says it is also important to benchmarks along the way. “If you want to run a 5k if you have never run before, start off learning to run a mile,” Moore says. She encourages checking in on the benchmarks at strategic intervals, say six weeks or eight weeks out.

“Equally important is to remember that you can’t, I mean, you can’t outrun bad nutrition. They both go hand in hand,” Moore says.

There are many reasons to work on health and wellness, including having good cardiovascular health, having good mobility, solid mental health, and building good relationships with other people. “That’s the holistic part,” she adds.

Consider Your Personal Preferences

Dr. Tyeese Gaines is a Florida-based emergency room physician who prioritizes her fitness goals. “When I make a new fitness goal, I try to think through what that will look and feel like at least the week prior,” Gaines says. “Do I need to get new running shoes? Do I need to go to the grocery store? Preparation is key. “

She agrees with Moore that working around your pitfalls is the most important part. “For example, I know I am not a morning person. So, creating a goal of waking up at 5 am to go run a few times a week is unlikely because I hate getting up a minute earlier than I have to,” she says. “Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean I will become a new person. Learn to work within your preferences and quirks.”

As a physician, Gaines says, ” My goals probably sound very similar to my patients, friends, and family. We are all in this struggle together.

This Framework Applies to All Your Goals

But not everyone’s goals are focused on fitness. Award-winning author of Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience and Restoration, Tracey Michea’l Lewis- Giggetts says that kind of focus is important in her goal setting, as well.

“Nowadays, I have to consider so much more when setting my writing goals, including family time, other entrepreneurial projects, rest, soul care, etc. I wasn’t thinking about any of that in my 20s,” she says.

“I know that my brain needs space and safety to run optimally,” she added. “ So when I set a writing goal, I have also to make sure that it is something I want to do, something I have the time to do and something that is safe to do and is the content too heavy for wherever I am in my life at the moment.”

Lewis-Giggetts says that all of those things give her the things will give her the incentive to show up to the page consistently. “I also can run back those answers on the days I don’t feel much like going after my goal.”

Schedule Time for Joy and Play

Lewis-Giggetts’ strategy includes making her goals more about weaving in joy and play. “ I try to write joy into my day, onto my to-do list, as it is an absolute necessity for me,” she says. “I’m strategic about how I incorporate joy into my day. I’m acutely aware that when my nervous system is off, when my body is off because of grief or rage or pain or anxiety, then it will be very difficult for me to do my work, and goals will not be met.”

She says that play and joy help her manage her body and brain. Things like movement, including dancing or even getting on the swings at the playground, and laughter help her discharge anxiety. “All of that means I’m more likely to meet my goals because I’m well,” Lewis-Giggetts explains.

8 Things to Remember

1. Ask yourself the tough questions about your “why?”
2. What are you willing to commit to and focus consistently to make it happen?
3. Start small. Don’t start with a goal of walking 10 thousand steps right away. If you haven’t done it in a while, start with a mile or maybe 15 minutes, and consistently work your way up.
4. Anticipate the obstacles. New Year’s goals kick off in January when the weather can sideline you. Figure out what you can do in the house to get your physical activity in. Also, a cold or illness can slow you down. Plan for getting back on your plan.
5. Treat it as an important business appointment in your planner. If your goal is to eat healthier, make an appointment with yourself to prepare healthy meals to have ready. That includes snacks.
6. Sleep for health and focus. A lack of quality sleep can sabotage your health goals without a plan. Track your hours of sleep.
7. Check-in with your goals on a daily or weekly basis. Know where you stand and when you need to get back on track.
8. You can get a do-over. Maybe you didn’t get your meditation in for the week. Don’t just start. Take the time to remind yourself why this is a priority and what the benefits are.

The post 8 Things You Need to Know to Crush Your Goals All Year appeared first on Black Health Matters.