Why
do Black women die of breast cancer at a higher rate than
other women?
Though Black women are
diagnosed less frequently than other women, we tend to be
diagnosed with the disease at a later stage than other women,
which makes our prognosis not as good.
(BACK)
Why
are Black women diagnosed with breast cancer later than other
women?
We don’t have the same
access to information and to health care that other segments
of the society do. We also do not do breast self-examination
monthly. This limits our ability to recognize when there are
changes in the breast that may indicate a problem. These are
just a few of the reasons for late diagnosis.
(BACK)
Is
there a way to prevent breast cancer?
The Philadelphia Black
Women’s Health Project believes that a healthy lifestyle,
not smoking, limiting alcohol intake, having good nutritional
habits and exercising is beneficial. However, we are not aware
of any clinical studies that have been done that definitively
prevent breast cancer.
(BACK)
What
sexual behaviors put teens at risk for HIV infection, other
STDs, and pregnancy?
Unprotected sexual
intercourse and multiple sex partners place young people at
risk for HIV infection, other STDs, and pregnancy. Each year,
approximately three million cases of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs) occur among teenagers and approximately one
million teenagers become pregnant. In 1997, 48% of high school
students had ever had sexual intercourse, 16% of high school
students had had four or more sex partners during their
lifetime, and 43% of sexually active high school students did
not use a condom at last sexual intercourse.
(BACK)
How
serious is the problem of motor vehicle-related crashes among
teenagers?
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In 1998, 5,606
teenagers died of injuries caused by motor vehicle
crashes. Of those who died, 86% were passenger vehicle
occupants, 6% were pedestrians, 3% were motorcyclists, 2%
were bicyclists and 3% were in other kinds of vehicles.
|
|
Teenagers
represented 10% of the U.S. population in 1998 and
accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle-related deaths.
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|
Crash risk is
particularly high during the first years teenagers are
eligible to drive.
|
|
From 1988 through
1997, the annual number of teenagers who died in motor
vehicle crashes declined 21%. Annual deaths reached a low
of 5,215 in 1992 and have increased slightly since.
|
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In 1998, the death
rate for male drivers (21 per 100,000) was more than twice
that for female teenaged drivers (10 per 100,000).
|
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In 1997, the
economic cost of police-reported crashes (fatal and
nonfatal) involving drivers aged 15-20 years was about $32
billion. |
(BACK)
What
4 body fluids transmit HIV?
Blood, semen, vaginal
secretions and breast milk.
(BACK)
Who
should get tested for HIV?
Anyone who:
1) engages in unprotected sexual behavior, 2) shares
needles/syringes, 3) uses injectable drugs, 4) pregnant
women/women who are considering pregnancy, 5) just wants to
know their status.
(BACK)
What
Philadelphia agencies solely provide services to Black women with
HIV/AIDS?
Philadelphia
Black Women’s Health Project.
(BACK)
