In terms of health, talk of a crisis among Afrikan women in the UK may not be out of place. For example, just over 18 months ago the BBC reported that “Young black women in the UK are more likely than their white counterparts to develop “worse” breast cancer with a poorer prognosis, research suggests. This group has larger, more aggressive tumours with a higher risk of recurrence and can occur two decades earlier that the average for white women. This is despite having the same access to treatment, the study in the British Journal of Cancer shows.” (Breast cancer ‘worse’ in young, black women, 23 October 2013) Interestingly, the studies also show “there were no significant differences in overall survival or breast cancer reoccurrence between white and Asian women.” On the other hand, biochemist Abi Ajose-Adeogun from Better Days Cancer Care – a cancer charity for African Caribbean women – and its founder, Marina Raime have argued that, “face of breast cancer” has been that of white middle class women and with screening schedules based around the occurrences in this group, this “race bias” may have cost lives.
Moreover, on January 15th of this year WebMD UK revealed that “Black women are at greater risk of type 2 diabetes than white women. Now a large study suggests if they want to reduce that risk they should try to avoid night shifts.” The findings asserted that “relative to never having worked the night shift, the increased risk of developing diabetes was 17% for 1–2 years night shift work; 23% for 3–9 years, and 42% for 10 or more years.” In addition to this it has been established for years that Afrikan women are much up to twice as likely to develop fibroids than their European counterparts.
The Office for National Statistics has identified that the highest percentage of pre-term births occurred in the “Black Caribbean (9.5 per cent), Black African (7.6 per cent) and Indian (7.5 per cent) ethnic groups.” The Mental Health Foundation have documented that: “African Caribbean people living in the UK have lower rates of common mental disorders than other ethnic groups but are more likely to be diagnosed with severe mental illness. African Caribbean people are three to five times more likely than any other group to be diagnosed and admitted to hospital for schizophrenia…African Caribbean people are also more likely to enter the mental health services via the courts or the police, rather than from primary care, which is the main route to treatment for most people. They are also more likely to be treated under a section of the Mental Health Act, are more likely to receive medication, rather than be offered talking treatments such as psychotherapy, and are over-represented in high and medium secure units and prisons.” Finally, the Health Protection Report (June 2014) indicated: “The highest rates of STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) diagnoses were found among persons of black ethnicity, and the majority of these cases were among persons living in areas of high deprivation, especially in urban areas. This high rate of STI diagnoses among black ethnic communities is most likely the consequence of a complex interplay of cultural, economic and behavioural factors.”
One strategy aimed at addressing these and more issues is the Women’s Wellness In March Heal Thyself seminar organised by the Alkebulan Revivalist Movement in association with Mariandina Research Foundation. The focus is on raising health awareness on women’s health issues such as: Hormone Imbalance: Symptoms and natural solutions, Menopause, Fibroids, Herbs for pregnancy and Childbirth, Womb cleansing and care, Breast, Cervical and Ovarian Cancer, Pelvic inflammatory disease and STI’s and Emotional Wellness. The event will include a series of presentations will be made on the topics above followed by a panel discussion including: Dr. Mark Walcott, Ms. Nafula Mukasa, Ms. Linda Musoke, Stephen Ssali and Dr. Khensu Imhotep, with a focus on solutions. The event takes place from 7pm-10pm on Thursday 26/03/15 at Mama Afrika Kulcha Shap, 282High Road Leyton E10 5PW. For more info CLICK HERE: or Tel: 0208 539 2154, 07939 292 720, 07908 814 152, 077659 61818
So we ask the question:
How do we address the health crisis among Afrikan women?
- Why do Afrikan women develop breast cancer 20 years earlier than European and Asian women?
- Is there race bias in the screening, diagnosis and/or treatment?
- Can night shifts really effect diabetes?
- Why do Afrikan women have more pre-term births?
- What are the “complex interplay of cultural, economic and behavioural factors” causing the high number of STIs among Afrikans?
- Why are Afrikans more likely to receive medication, rather than talking treatments for mental health issues?
Our special guests are:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK. A veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An Africentric Guide To Excellence
And panellists from the Women’s Wellness In March Heal Thyself seminar
Sis. Nafula Mukasa
Sis. Linda Musoke
Dr. Khensu Imhotep
Bro. Stephen Ssali
AFRIKA SPEAKS with ALKEBU-LAN Mondays 8-10pm (GMT)Hosted by
Sis Kai Ouagadou-Mbandaka & Bro. Omowale Kwaw
Galaxy Radio | 102.5fm | www.galaxyafiwe.com (To listen live)
4-6 pm Eastern Caribbean Time 12-2 pm Pacific Standard Time 1-3 pm Mountain Standard Time 2-4 pm Central Standard Time 3-4 pm Eastern Standard Time