Season 3 Episode 5 Endometrial Cancer and African American Women: A Tribute to My Aunt

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and is diagnosed in 1 in 37 women in the United States. Although it is a serious issue for all women, African American women with endometrial cancer have a 90% higher mortality risk when compared with white women. African American women have a five year mortality rate of 39% compared to 20% amongst white women. There are so many factors that may contribute to this, but the biggest role that may have a huge influence is receiving a late diagnosis. While there are no annual screening examinations that exist at this time, knowing your risk factors, signs, and symptoms of the disorder can be life saving.

In 2019, My dear Aunt Idella passed away at the age of 72 from uterine cancer. Like so many African American women, she received a late diagnosis. By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had already began to metastasize.

It really hurt that I couldn’t save her, but in her memory I want to use this platform to provide the information to inform and hopefully, save other women.

The earlier endometrial cancer is discovered, the better the outcome. With this episode of the Eavesdrop, I aim to bring awareness to endometrial cancer and enlighten women on how they can possibly save their lives or the lives of others.