EDUCATION & SUPPORT
Amey’s Plight Education Program
The title of our educational program is the last name of the first client KSIBCF lost to IBC. Ms. Amey was a 42 year old single mother who was misdiagnosed with traditional breast cancer two years prior to her death. After undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy, doctors indicated there was no affect on the cancer, thus, they felt the best course of action was a right mastectomy. Then, despite the fact that she never healed from the right mastectomy, six months later when they noticed her left breast displayed the same symptoms, they gave her a left mastectomy. After both surgeries, her doctors advised her that she actually had IBC and not regular/traditional breast cancer. Sadly, they were not familiar with IBC. Unfortunately, neither surgery prevented the cancer from metastasizing and ultimately taking her life. During Amey’s treatment process our founder was introduced to Ms. Amey by way of a friend. Kommah was able to provide Ms. Amey with contact numbers of physicians who specialized in IBC for her doctor to consult. Regrettably, Ms. Amey was afraid to suggest a consult to her doctors because she did not want them to be upset with her and mistreat her. She felt she was in a vulnerable position and did not want them to stop treating her because she did not trust them. Less than a month before she took her last breath, her doctors told her that there was nothing else they could do for her, they tried everything and the cancer was nonresponsive. She was then admitted to hospice care and left to die.
KSIBCF’s educational program is not only done in honor of our founder, but also in memory of Ms. Amey. Patients trust that their doctors have their best interest in mind when they are being treated for any illness, especially one that is life threatening. With IBC and other rare forms of cancer, it is common for physicians not to recognize the symptoms or to misdiagnose the symptoms altogether. By addressing IBC with new physicians who are pre/post graduation or in a residency program, and with veteran physicians, they will be able to store the symptoms in their memory arsenal to recall when necessary. Our desire is to reduce the delay in proper diagnosis and treatment; therefore, by educating the front line of our medical community, we will help save the lives of those who trust that their doctors have their best interest in mind.
Brief Explanation of Programs
KSIBCF executes three types of educational seminars under our Amey’s Plight Education Program. This program consists of three different seminars or workshops that will educate three segments of the general population:
(1) Breast Cancer 101: Breast health including signs and symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). This topic of discussion is very important to women under the age of 40 and to minority communities because history has shown that girls as young as 12 years old have lost their lives to IBC. Therefore, this seminar and workshop will target low income communities, girls as young as 11 years old, and women under the age of 40.
(2) Survivorship: Breast health with a focus on survivorship. KSIBCF believes it is just as important to continue educating survivors about breast health post-treatment, which includes: reoccurrence prevention through healthy living, scar tissue reduction, lymphedema prevention and management. This seminar will target low income communities and uninsured/underinsured breast cancer survivors.
(3) Mammogram Screening for African American Women: Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other: This seminar is an evidence based program that targets African American women and barriers to mammography. We will encourage African American women to get mammograms in an effort to reduce the mortality rate in this particular culture as it relates to breast cancer.
We believe these seminars will encourage early detection of breast cancer, including rare forms of breast cancer and decrease the number of misdiagnosis, which results in late stage diagnosis or even death.
Need a Speaker, Panelist, or IBC representation at a Health Fair?
KSIBCF offers an educational service to the community, Amey's Plight: Breast Cancer 101.
Our Amey’s Plight: Breast Cancer 101 program draws attention to breast cancer, from the silent symptoms of traditional cancer to the visible symptoms of IBC. According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, “IBC accounts for an estimated two percent breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S., but seven percent of breast cancer deaths. Furthermore, from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, the incidence of IBC increased by roughly 25 percent.” Unfortunately, IBC is not always visible with diagnostic mammography or ultrasounds. Unlike other forms of breast cancer, IBC grows in sheets or like a nest and does not take on the appearance of a solid mass; therefore, it is often misdiagnosed as mastitis.
If you would like to request a speaker from KSIBCF for an event, complete our Health Fair Request Form and fax (909-992-3466) or mail it to KSIBCF, 800 S. Barranca Ave, Ste 220, Covina, CA 91723.
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