The Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi,Inc. Presents a Breast Cancer Awareness Forum

June 22, 2012 - PRLog -- ATLANTA, GA – The Atlanta Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. invites the public out to their first “Breast Cancer Awareness Forum” on Saturday, June 30, 2012, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Morehouse School of Medicine, National Center for Primary Care Auditorium, 720 Westview Drive, SW, Atlanta, GA  30314.  Men and women are encouraged to attend this educational forum.  The event is free.

Dr. Rogsbert F. Phillips-Reed, Breast Cancer Specialist & Founder of Sisters by Choice, Inc. is the keynote speaker.  The panelist consists of: Dr. Rogsbert F. Phillips-Reed, Dr. Brian Organ, Dr. Shirley Carmack, Dr. Reginald Jackson and Mr. Eric Dunlap. Dr. Harold E. Moore, Jr., will serve as the moderator.

“It’s important for people to come out because our community needs to be educated and made aware of the impact of breast cancer on the African-American community.  We have the highest death rate,” says Dr. Harold E. Moore, Jr.  in a recent interview.  “As African-Americans, we need to start playing an active role in our health and become educated and informed of the disease processes we encounter in our everyday lives.”

Although breast cancer affects mostly women, a small percentage of men suffer with this disease.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States.  It is also one of the leading causes of cancer death among women of all races and Hispanic origin populations.  Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and is found in one in eight women in the United States.  

Men can also get breast cancer, but it is not very common. For every 100 cases of breast cancer, less than 1 is in men according to CDC. Twice as many African-American women who have breast cancer die from it as white women, although fewer African-American women get the disease.  Moore says men should do their breast exams, too. They have breast tissue, too. Mammograms are not required for men but when you go in for a physical exam your physician should examine the breast area.  “We lost a brother to breast cancer two years ago and our organization felt the need to address this issue because men get breast cancer, too,” says Moore.  

Participating sponsors include: Kappa Alpha Psi, Sisters…By Choice, American Cancer Society, and AARP.  

About Sisters…By Choice
Sisters... By Choice, Inc. (SBC) was founded in 1989 by Dr. Rogsbert F. Phillips, M.D., an Atlanta based breast surgeon.  Early on, Dr. Phillips saw the need for programs that increase the public’s knowledge and awareness of breast cancer as a means to decrease the mortality and morbidity of breast cancer. In addition, Dr. Phillips wanted to improve the delivery of breast health services and improve the support services for women diagnosed with breast cancer.  Initially formed as a breast cancer support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, SBC has evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving women in the metro-Atlanta area. SBC’s goal is to remain an innovative leader in breast cancer education, awareness, and resources for women diagnosed with breast cancer. This organization has addressed the disparity issues surrounding breast cancer by providing many programs targeted to women who are uninsured and underserved.

For additional information, contact Dr. Harold E. Moore, Jr. at (404)778-8669.

Media Contact: APM Public Relations @ 770-733-2600 or email: angiepr42@aol.com.