But for good reason. I know the truth, and I want to share it with others. Spoken like a true convert, huh? The sad and not-so-sad reality about most cancers is that if you catch them early, they’re highly curable. But, according to a recent report by the American Cancer Society, black Americans are being diagnosed at more advanced stages. Early screening is obviously the answer here, but that requires seeing a physician regularly, something black people don’t do. We have an unhealthy distrust of medical professionals, and that kind of attitude will be the death of us—literally.
And it’s not just about cancer. The same is true for any number of health-related issues. Now, I’m no doctor. But Rob Gore is. When we discussed health disparities and the black community, he talked about how crucial it is for people to be informed. He would know.
Most days and nights, Dr. Gore can be found in the emergency room at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. He chose to do emergency room medicine to assist urban populations in need. A few years back, he went to Kenya to help set up health clinics and schoolhouses, followed by a trip to Guyana to do the same. He’s headed to Haiti in April to work with the underserved there. This guy is like Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization all rolled up into one. He’s also the first doctor I reached out to after my diagnosis, and he’s been my friend ever since. Dr. Gore told me a large number of his patients have no idea about what’s going on with their health. He urges people to “listen to their bodies, develop relationships with their doctors, and be active participants.”
When it comes to improving health outcomes in the black community, some of the barriers often cited are social inequality and lack of access to care. There’s no denying that African Americans receive a different level of care when compared to whites, but studies also show that we significantly underuse our medical resources. Moreover, in this information age, all Americans have equal access to news, data, and studies. There are Websites on just about every health topic imaginable. Most doctors are reachable via e-mail. And for those of us who aren’t Internet savvy, Dr. Gore recommends attending community health fairs, tapping into resources at your church, and going to the library.
Becoming your own advocate is the quickest way to help reverse the disproportionate number of late-stage diagnoses in our community. That and changing our attitude toward those in the medical community. One thing I realized from talking to Dr. Gore, and the extraordinary team of doctors who treated me, is that health professionals really do want to save our lives. Maybe it’s time we helped them out with that.
My Dear Chana,
You are infact a Wonder Woman! I have followed your journey using information from you father. You are right about listening to your body! And we blacks, especially Black Men don’t take advantage of the services that we are aying for!
Thanks to my ex-spouse, I do get a Yearly look under the hood. This year I had several pre-Cancer growth from my Colon. It was found during my regularly scheduled Colonoscopy.
Jim Johnson
You must have been reading my mind. Excellent post. This is the second post that I’ve been seriously thinking about, the other was about vegan.
I agree with you and although I tend to be in good health I will continue the my annual tradition of medical checkups. Not only with my family doctor, but all other doctors too (Dentist, Optometrist, etc).
Glad that I discovered your blog.
I have been spending what some could consider an inordinate amount of time reading not only this excellent, informative post but also clicking on the links and reading those! I have forwarded to my husband who does NOT go to doctors, but he exercises faithfully, doesn’t eat red meat or processed foods, takes vitamins. Still, he needs the medical piece. Thanks for this great post!
–Robin
I don’t know why I have such an aversion to doctors and dentists. I know that as an African American male I have statistically higher risks of certain health problems, yet I don’t always visit the doctor regularly. Maybe because it’s not such a pleasant experience. Maybe because I think if I exercise and eat right, that’s enough. Or maybe, the excuse I give myself is that I just haven’t found a doctor that I can really relate to and who I feel really relates to me.
Thanks for making me realize how silly and harmful these excuses are. I’m the only one who has the responsibility and the power to make sure I get the medical attention I need. If I don’t do it, no one else can. That means I need to take the initiative in seeking out and developing relationships with medical professionals that I trust. I’m turning over a new leaf – because I owe it to myself. Thanks BlackGyrlCancerSlayer.
I think Dr. Gore is going to help us get out of this health care mess. Somthing has got to give…Chana I will have to tell you about my family’s most recent scare soon.
Nat. H
My best friend Dennis didn’t listen to his body till it was to late. He died at 27 from testicular cancer. I use to live the same way until I witnessed first hand how he had to suffer. Now I get check-ups annually.
Black men/women, its time to stop the cycle.
-rush