Every girl’s got her checklist: monthly budgets, the perfect heels, coffee dates, and well… mammograms. Yup, that’s right. Mammograms just got bumped up on our to-do list.
Think 40 is too young to worry about breast cancer? Well, so did I, and boy was I wrong! Diagnosed at 38, I can’t stress enough how grateful I am for my early screening. It’s no longer about being paranoid but being proactive.
Back in the day, the 50s were dubbed the golden age for starting regular breast cancer screenings. But this isn’t your grandmother’s guideline anymore. Thanks to some major updates by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, it’s recommended that women start their regular screenings at 40. And honestly, it’s about time!
Let’s chat numbers: Nearly one in 11 fab femmes diagnosed with breast cancer is under 45. And since 2016, there’s been a 2% annual rise in women in their forties getting this diagnosis. Shocked? So were we. But the silver lining is that if breast cancer is spotted early, your five-year survival rate is almost 100%. Slay, queens!
But it’s not just about age anymore. Ladies, our bodies are complex and marvelous. And these complexities also mean we need to be aware of factors other than just our age. From lifestyle choices like enjoying a few too many cocktails, living that couch potato life, or even hormonal and environmental changes, our risks vary.
There’s a new trend in town, and it’s all about personalizing prevention. BCRF is onto something big by blending tech and health, using AI to read mammograms more precisely. Imagine a world where a quick scan not only identifies risks but also guides our life choices to help us prevent them. Talk about futuristic fashion!
But let’s dish some real talk. For all the advancements, not all women, especially Black women, are reaping the benefits. With a 40% higher likelihood of dying from breast cancer, we need to address and understand these disparities better. Huge shoutout to Estée Lauder for stepping up with a whopping $15 million donation to BCRF for this very cause. Because no woman should be left behind.
Empowerment comes in many forms: the perfect LBD, that confidence-boosting lipstick, and being knowledgeable about our bodies. Organizations like Tigerlily Foundation are creating a supportive sisterhood for young women navigating this journey.
Imagine, if screenings were as easy to access as our fave Sephora products. Maimah Karmo, founder of Tigerlily, dreams of a world where women can get screenings as easily as shopping for mascara. And honestly? We’re so here for that!
Bottom line, dolls: Your 40s are the new 50s. Embrace them with empowerment, knowledge, and style. Here’s to every woman owning her health journey with the same fierceness she rocks her stilettos!
