Arab American Family Services, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, is teaming up to help combat an illness that effects a million people, every year.
Through leadership, education, support and resources, AAFS will help to empower the community by promoting and educating the community on living a healthy lifestyle.
This partnership will help put cancer screenings at reach for Arab-Americans throughout the community.
Screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and colon cancer will be easily provided for those who may have been afraid or uneasy to be tested for this horrific disease.
Women and men in the community can call or come to AAFS to be directed to the proper facility to be screened for breast, cervical and colon cancer.
Cancer effects thousands of Arab American men and women every year.
For many Arab Americans, there is a fear that lies within us that prevents us from being tested. Throughout the community, there may be a sense of shame that comes from being screened for breast, cervical and colon cancer. Little do they know, a simple, quick test can save hundreds of lives every year, and even establish the path to educate our friends and family about the importance of early detection.
Cervical cancer can often be detected very early, and can even be prevented by having regular Pap smear tests. This screening procedure can find changes in the cervix before cancer develops. It can also find cervical cancer early − in its most curable stage. The American Cancer Society predicts that there will be over 12,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer this year. Unfortunately, over 4,000 will die from the disease.
AAFS’s partnership with the American Cancer Society will also put breast cancer screenings more easy and readily available.
It is estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer. It is estimated that over 200,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014; unfortunately, nearly 40,000 will lose their battle with breast cancer. Many are unaware that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer. It is predicted that nearly 2,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. With the proper screenings and mammograms, breast cancer could easily be detected and the proper procedures could be done to either cure the disease, or put it in remission.
Many Arab-American men and woman face the stigma of going to a doctor to be tested for colon cancer. Many face fear, shame or anxiety when it comes to testing for colon cancer.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women. Over 90,000 men and women will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year alone. As with all cancers, proper screenings and early detection is the best way to give yourself a fighting chance against the disease. There are currently over a million colon cancer survivors in the United Stated.
For more information on cervical, breast and prostrate cancer, or for guidance on the best facility to get screened, please call AAFS at (708) 599-2237, or come in for a visit.
(708) 599-2237
