Dr. Nikki Ham Chooses Mastectomy to Prevent Breast Cancer

Counseling Professor Wants Brown and Black Women to Know Options

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, [email protected], 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) - Counseling Department Professor Nikki Ham is on a mission to inform Black and Brown women that having a mastectomy is an option they need to consider to protect themselves from developing breast cancer and to remove the stigma about the procedure.

During this year's breast cancer awareness month, she is speaking to family members, friends, colleagues at the university and engaging the media to tell her story and why a double mastectomy to remove both breasts could be lifesaving.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women of color.

Dr. Ham said her decision to have the surgery was years in the making after participating in a risk assessment program that included genetic testing, MRIs, sonograms, medications and counseling from physicians at Luminous Health's Anne Arundel Medical Center. Ultimately, Ham's faith and family provided her the courage and stamina required to have the double mastectomy.

"The mastectomy has reduced my risk of contracting breast cancer by 90%," said Ham. "There is a history of breast cancer in my family. One of my relatives died from the disease while another battled the illness and survived. I decided I needed to be proactive, weighed preventive options and elected to have the mastectomy. I made the final decision but not without ongoing consultation from my physician team, husband and prayers."

The American Cancer Society (ACS) forecasts that almost 360,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and that an estimated 42,500 will die from the illness. Black and Brown women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women and are diagnosed with the disease at a later stage according to the ACS.

Black and Brown women are statistically more likely to have diabetes, heart disease, obesity and less likely to have breastfed their children which are all risk factors for developing breast cancer.

"A double mastectomy to reduce the odds of contracting breast cancer isn't the answer for everyone," said Ham. "But it is an option that some women may want to consider. The first line of defense is mammograms. All women must be tested regularly for breast cancer."

Ham had her first surgery in August of 2023 and the second surgery on May 30, 2024.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

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