Featured

About Me / Privacy Policy/Terms & Conditions/Disclaimer

About Me

I am Cynthia B. Smalls, and I created this blog because following my diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer, specifically Ductal Carcinoma In Situ stage 1. I saw few images of Black women along my journey from patient to survivor. In all the websites and medical handouts, I received the images were white women and that fact was hurtful to me. It made me feel invisible and what I was going through somehow less important than others. If I felt that way surely others did too.

I decided to do something about that and once I moved into the survivorship portion of my journey, I wanted to empower my community. I wanted to bring awareness of the value of early detection and the options available in a manner ladies understand and respect. I strive to break down complex issues and topics surrounding breast cancer to make it accessible to everyone. My goal is simple touch and bring awareness in the Black community on early detection and increase awareness on breast health all year long. Please email me at cynthiasmalls@melaninpinkribbons.com for any questions.

Our Instagram page is melaninpinkribbons .

Legal Information

Privacy Policy

Our website address is www.melaninpinkribbons.com

What personal data we collect and why we collect it:

1. Comments:

When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form, and also the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help spam detection.

An anonymized string created from your email address (also called a hash) may be provided to the Gravatar service to see if you are using it. The Gravatar service privacy policy is available here: https://automattic.com/privacy/. After approval of your comment, your profile picture is visible to the public in the context of your comment.

2. Media:

If you upload images to the website, you should avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS) included. Visitors to the website can download and extract any location data from images on the website.

3. Contact Forms & Cookies:

If you leave a comment on our site you may opt-in to save your name, email address and website in cookies. These are for your convenience so that you do not have to fill in your details again when you leave another comment. These cookies will last for one year.

If you have an account and you log in to this site, we will set a temporary cookie to determine if your browser accepts cookies. This cookie contains no personal data and is discarded when you close your browser.

When you log in, we will also set up several cookies to save your login information and your screen display choices. Login cookies last for two days, and screen options cookies last for a year. If you select “Remember Me”, your login will persist for two weeks. If you log out of your account, the login cookies will be removed.

If you edit or publish an article, an additional cookie will be saved in your browser. This cookie includes no personal data and simply indicates the post ID of the article you just edited. It expires after 1 day.

4. Embedded Content From Other Websites:

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g. videos, images, articles, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the exact same way as if the visitor has visited the other website.

These websites may collect data about you, use cookies, embed additional third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction with that embedded content, including tracking your interaction with the embedded content if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

5. Analytics- How long we retain your data:

If you leave a comment, the comment and its metadata are retained indefinitely. This is so we can recognize and approve any follow-up comments automatically instead of holding them in a moderation queue.

For users that register on our website (if any), we also store the personal information they provide in their user profile. All users can see, edit, or delete their personal information at any time (except they cannot change their username). Website administrators can also see and edit that information.

6. What rights you have over your data:

If you have an account on this site or have left comments, you can request to receive an exported file of the personal data we hold about you, including any data you have provided to us. You can also request that we erase any personal data we hold about you. This does not include any data we are obliged to keep for administrative, legal, or security purposes.

7. Where we send your data:

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service.

8. Compliance With Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act:

Protecting the privacy of the very young is especially important. For that reason, we never collect or maintain information at our Site from those we actually know are under 13, and no part of our website is structured to attract anyone under 13.

9. Your Acceptance Of These Terms:

By using this site, you signify your acceptance of this policy and terms of service. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Contact information:

If you face any problem with the contents or the site, feel free to write to us at cynthiasmalls@melaninpinkribbons.com

Disclaimer for Melanin & Pink Ribbons

If you are looking for any more information or have any questions about Melanin& Pink Ribbons disclaimer, please feel free to contact us by email at cynthiasmalls@melaninpinkribbons.com

All the information on this website is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. www.melaninpinkribbons.com does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take – the information you find on this website www.melaninpinkribbons.com is strictly at your own risk. Melanin & Pink Ribbons will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website.

From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone ‘bad’.

Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their “Terms of Service” before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

By using our website, you hereby consent to our disclaimer and agree to its terms.

Update:

This site disclaimer was last updated on November 6, 2023. Should we update, amend or make any changes to this document, those changes will be prominently posted here.

Terms & Conditions for Melanin & Pink Ribbons

Below are the Terms and Conditions for use of  www.melaninpinkribbons.com

Please read these carefully. If you need to contact us regarding any aspect of the following terms of use of our website, please contact us at www.melaninpinkribbons.com

By accessing the content of Melanin & Pink Ribbons.com. ( hereafter referred to as a website ) you agree to the terms and conditions set out herein and also accept our privacy policy. If you do not agree to any of the terms and conditions you should not continue to use the website and leave immediately.

You agree that you shall not use the website for any illegal purposes and that you will respect all applicable laws and regulations.

You agree not to use Melanin & Pink Ribbons website in a way that may impair the performance, corrupt or manipulate the content or information available on the website or reduce the overall functionality of the website.

You agree not to compromise the security of the website or attempt to gain access to secured areas of the website or attempt to access any sensitive information you may believe exist on the website or server where it is hosted.

You agree to be fully responsible for any claim, expense, losses, liability, costs including legal fees incurred by us arising from any infringement of the terms and conditions in this agreement and to which you will have agreed if you continue to use the website.

The reproduction, distribution in any method whether online or offline is strictly prohibited (unless stated otherwise). The work on the website and the images, logos, text and other such information is not the property of  http://www.melaninpinkribbons.com ( unless otherwise stated ).

Disclaimer

Though we strive to be completely accurate in the information that is presented on our site and attempt to keep it as up to date as possible, in some cases, some of the information you find on the website may be slightly outdated.

Melanin & Pink Ribbons reserves the right to make any modifications or corrections to the information you find on the website at any time without notice.

Change to the Terms and Conditions of Use

We reserve the right to make changes and to revise the above-mentioned Terms and Conditions of use.

Last Revised: November 6, 2023

Dense Breasts, Now What Do I Do?

If you have been informed, that you have dense breasts it can be confusing as to what’s next. I suggest you consider the following in conjunction with your medical professionals:

 

  • Ask for a 3D mammogram because they offer clear images of the breast and currently are the baseline of mammograms and are usually covered by insurance
  • Inquire about additional screening tests that may reveal clearer images such as a breast ultrasound or a breast MRI
  • Be a vocal patient with an advocate if you need it when meeting with your medical professionals.
  • Learn your breast cancer risk level from your doctor and have a clear picture of what your next step is

 

As always early detection is the first step in your self-care toolkit.

 

What Are Dense Breasts?

As per the CDC breasts are made up of 3 types of tissue:

  • Fibrous tissue holds the breasts in place
  • Glandular Tissue is the part that makes the milk
  • Fatty Tissue fills the space between fibrous and glandular tissue, and it gives the breasts their shape

 

Breast density is the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue versus fatty tissue and believe it or not there are some concerning facts about dense breasts:

  • 10% of all women have fatty breasts
  • 40% of women have scattered breast density meaning it has a varying mix of the 3 tissues
  • 40% have even breast density of the 3 tissues
  • 10% of all women have dense breasts

 

Dense breasts shockingly result in an increased risk of breast cancer. To complicate matters more dense breast tissue and tumors both look white on mammograms. This results in the mammograms of dense breast women are more difficult to read.

 

If you are a woman reading this post you know our breasts change over time, the density can decrease but its important to be your own advocate if you have dense breasts. If you have dense breasts your doctor may suggest a breast ultrasound for a clearer image or a breast MRI also to obtain a clearer image of the breast.

 

Just like with all my posts educate yourself to your options so you can have a voice in your medical care.

Photo by Klaus Nielsen on Pexels.com

National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month

 

On March 29, 2024, President Biden made the following proclamation:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month. I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent, detect, and beat cancer.

 

This is important because it raises awareness for all cancers and particularly the value of early detection. So, get on board, keep fighting, make sure you and your loved ones are following up on their medical care and having diagnostic screenings.

Find It Early Act

Introduced on May 5, 2023, in the House of Representatives is known as Bill H.R. 3086 Find It Early Act. It calls for women with dense breasts or those at a higher risk due to BRCA or family history of cancer to receive additional breast imaging at no additional costs after an initial mammogram.

 

This is huge because women of limited financial means or no health insurance can delay follow up care. Remember now 40% of Black women are dying from breast cancer more than our white counterparts! Until that number changes, I will continue to put it out into the community as a means to erase the stigma surrounding of early detection.

 

As of this writing on 01/24/2024 this bill has not passed the House or Senate which is necessary for the President signing it into law. If you want to take action visit FindItEarlyAct.org. for details on how to get involved.

 

Fight No Matter What!

Be you a current fighter of breast cancer, a survivor, caregiver, or advocate never give up! Do your best on any given day to help in the fight of early detection and breast health awareness.

There is an African proverb “ It takes a village to raise a child.” I suggest it takes a village to fight and survive breast cancer. Be a part of the fight any way you can!

What is Chemo Brain?

When being treated for breast cancer a large number of patients receive chemotherapy in the form of pills or intravenously into the vein. One of the side effects of receiving chemotherapy is commonly known as Chemo Brain. Early as 1990 breast cancer patients began to complain of thinking and memory problems soon after beginning treatment. It has been described as mental fogginess and has real life symptoms such as:

            Easy to forget things

            Trouble concentrating

            Small details like names/dates are tough to recall

            Difficulty learning new things

            Taking longer to learn new skills

 

The symptoms can last a short period of time and then disappear at the completion of treatment. It is also very likely the symptoms linger for a very long time. The results are as unique as each breast cancer patient and some never report feeling from Chemo Brain, what a relief for them.  

 

It is not all bleak because caregivers can spot Chemo Brain and can-be of assistance.  When trying to help Chemo Brain fighter attempt to get light exercise, meditation, and cancer rehab to help build weak skillsets. Using lists, obtaining extra rest and sleep can yield positive results. Avoiding multitasking, alcohol and anything that will interfere with natural sleep patterns will also alleviate nagging Chemo Brain symptoms. As always notify your medical professionals so you can get the most up to date quality care.

 

** source for this article is the American Cancer Society website article on Chemo Brain. Amp.cancer.org

A Dose of Inspiration

Yolanda Miller is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. She is a daughter, sister, aunt, mother and wife and most importantly was a caregiver to her Mother for many years before she passed away from breast cancer. This led her to found Dorothy’s Daughter a social service agency in North Carolina dedicated to aiding the elderly and breast cancer patients. This quote reminds the reader to control what they can and that is a victory all in itself.

Breast Cancer and Heart Issues

According to the American Heart Association in a recent online article there is a link between breast cancer treatment and subsequent heart issues. We know heart disease is a major killer of women and shockingly radiation used to treat breast cancer can cause heart issues. To put it bluntly radiation administered to the left side can cause a build of of fluid around the heart.

 

Additionally, the heart can block the arteries, cause heart valve issues and bring about abnormal heart rhythms. Ironically, as the radiation kills the cancer cells it can weaken the heart.  The key is to be aware it is a possibility and track any changes with your medical professionals. There is no reason to refuse radiation therapy for breast cancer, just be aware and no it may or may not affect you. Our primary concern is to live so if it effects you, you can treat it. Remember to tell a loved one who is advocating for you so they can look for symptoms you may miss. No one person can do it all.

A Dose of Awareness

As Black women we must own our breast health as much as possible. Part of the reason I created this blog is to increase awareness on breast health, early detection and the importance of mammograms in my community particularly and the greater community at large. I am unapologetic about that and will continue to lift up this cause until it is no longer necessary.