First, meet my friend
I want to tell you a story about an amazing woman. This woman is beautiful, motherly, kind, educated, she takes care of her family and her community. She has always been a hard worker; working her way up from pharmacy technician to earning her doctorate in pharmacy and operating her own independent pharmacy in her hometown. Her name is Dr. Vondalyn Wright and she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She is a fighter and a champion on a mission to get more black women educated, empowered, and engaged with early detection.
The Pharmacist Role in Breast Cancer Awareness
When I was in pharmacy school I had a professor say something to the class that stuck with me. He said, “Y’all have to remember that sometimes you need to come from behind that counter and get into your community”. Pharmacists, how do you show up for your patients on both sides of the counter?
Behind the counter
Behind the counter pharmacists understand the local and systemic treatment approaches of fighting breast cancer. These patients will seek treatment via chemotherapy, hormone therapy with drugs like tamoxifen, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy that will directly target the proteins on breast cancer cells. Pharmacists should be familiar with the various outcomes, side effects, and benefits of all possible treatments to keep our patients informed and cared for during this time.
Besides dispensing medications pharmacists can dispense awareness by educating our community on preventative measures as well. Let’s talk about pharmacogenomic testing and ways to be proactive in detecting and reducing risk factors. Genomic testing for breast cancer is a test that looks at your DNA to pick up on certain mutations to the BRAC1 or BRAC2 genes to see how susceptible they are to mutations. Testing positive for these gene mutations increases the likeliness of developing certain kinds of cancers, most commonly breast cancer.
Ways to show up behind the counter:
- Comprehensive medication reviews
- Reducing medication errors
- Liaison between the patient and provider
- Be accessible to our patients
- Educate women on the potential harm of certain birth controls
- Discuss the benefits of genomic testing and pharmacogenomics
- Review nonmodifiable and modifiable risk factors
The other side of the counter, in the community:
We can show up in our community in multiple ways such as having difficult conversations, taking care of ourselves, volunteering, educating, and advocating for preventable health screenings. Let’s be courageous by initiating tough topics with our loved ones and even our own health care providers. Speak with your family members about family history, keep up appointments, and point out any new concerns or body changes with your doctor. Having these discussions is a form of self care and one of the first steps in making actionable change that can save a life.
Find a way to be of service to your community. Some people may be more comfortable speaking and educating through seminars, or signing up a team for a local walk, or donating a monetary gift to a valuable cause. Whichever way best identifies with your goals and personality, do that! Your presence and involvement in your community is needed.
How I plan to show up
This weekend I gathered up my family and close friends to walk in my friend’s Inaugural Breast Cancer Awareness Walk and Festival. Imagine being outdoors at the beautiful Perry Harvey Park surrounded by people of color on a mission with the same goal in mind. To honor, remember, and celebrate our sisters in the fight against breast cancer. We gathered together to pray, stretch, exercise, meditate, support vendors, and honor members of the community with awards for their service.
I am so proud of my friend for sharing her story and inviting us on her journey of healing. This is how a pharmacist shows up on both sides of the counter. As a trusted pharmacist within the community and as a friend, sister, mentor to walk beside you in the fight against breast cancer. I would encourage you to learn more about Fight Wright Foundation, make a donation, and follow Vondalyn’s story.
This post is dedicated in loving memory to my dear friend Myisha Williams
