PRODG Entertainment Promotions

PROFILES

Louis Elneus
Founder of HLD

Richard Jeanty
Author & Entrepreneur

Leslie Demangles
Author & College Professor

Danielle Legros-George
Haitian Poet & Autor

Margaret Papillon
Haitian Author

Myrtelle Cherry
Haitian Artist & Painter

Carole B. Joseph
Mass Bay Community College President

Gashford Guillaume
Mozayik Drummer

Pascale Auguste
Haitian Association Against Cancer

Andy Jacques
Haitian Fashion Designer

Phillip J. Brutus
State Representative

Yvecar Momperousse
Haitian Student Alliance

The Maroons
Haitian Writers & Poets

Evans Thesee
Founder HaitianConnection.com

Abdias Charles
Founder of Repair Haiti.org

Mecca AKA Grimo
Haitian Hip Hop Artist & Activist

Fania Simon
Writer, Lecturer & Activist

Nadege Fleurimond
Owner of Fleurimond Catering

Interview: Pascale Auguste

		A native of Haiti, Ms. Pascale D. Auguste came to the US at the age of 9 and grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY. With a strong desire to focus on community needs and to play a role within the health sector, she obtained her bachelor's degree in nursing from Pace University in Pleasantville, NY. She currently serves as Project Coordinator of the Haitian American Association Against Cancer, Inc. (HAAAC), a not-for-profit association dedicated solely to promoting cancer awareness, education and screening among the ethnic/racial minorities, with a particular emphasis on the South Florida Haitian-American community.
In recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Prodg Entertainment Promotions contributor, Tina Florial, spoke with Ms. Auguste about some very important issues for our readers and our community at large.

Tina Florial (TF): Ms. Auguste, we thank you for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to share your insight and expertise with us. If I may ask, what led you to a career in health education and outreach? Have personal experiences influenced your career focus?

Pascale Auguste (PA): I have always been interested in "giving back to the community". My career has been in health administration for the last ten years prior to coming to HAAAC. After volunteering for the Association on a few occasions by providing health education to the Haitian community of Miami, I realized that this is what I want to do at this stage of my career. I was able to combine my nursing experience, my health administrative experience and my desire to give to the community. I also realized the need for culturally competent Creole education on the subject of cancer.

TF: Before we dig further, what exactly is breast cancer?

PA: To understand breast cancer one must understand "cancer". Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by excessive growth and spread of abnormal cells. Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up organs of the body. Normally cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old they die and new cells take their place. This orderly process goes "haywire" or "wrong" in cancer. New cells form when the body does not need them and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. When this tumor or growth is malignant it is called cancer. When this process happens in the breast it is called breast cancer.

TF: Why is there such a need to raise awareness of the disease? Please share some statistics regarding breast cancer and women of color, and what are some risk factors?

PA: An estimated 19,240 new cases of breast cancer are expected to occur among African American women. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in African American women. An estimated 5,640 deaths from breast cancer are expected to occur for African American women. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among African American women surpassed only by lung cancer. (Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans - 2005-2006/American Cancer Society) Risk Factors include age, family history, reproductive and menstrual history, diet, inactivity, and alcohol intake.

TF: How important is early detection?

PA: Early detection saves lives - plain and simple. In addition, treatment can be much more effective for breast cancer if found early.

TF: So how may we detect breast cancer early? What are some methods for screening?

PA: There are three methods to breast health and screening: Mammograms once a year (typically for those 40 and over), clinical breast exams by a health care professional once a year, and self-breast exams once a month.

TF: While screening, in particular while performing a breast self exam, what symptoms should prompt someone to see a health care provider?

PA: If a woman feels a lump in her breast or any changes to her breast appearance including unusual drainage from her nipple - she should see her physician. Often there are no signs or pain in breast cancer. I also urge young women (younger than 35) who feel or see changes to really seek medical help. Often the medical community will tend to dismiss younger women with abnormal breast changes because of their age. You must be persistent and insist on a check-up. You know your body and if something is wrong, please follow up.

TF: In your opinion, is there a lack of resources available in minority communities? How are Haitian women impacted by the lack of resources?

PA: Haitian women suffer equally from other minority groups due to lack of resources. Fear of immigration might also prevent Haitian women from applying for available help. Limited English proficiency also deters women from applying for available resources.

TF: Speaking of challenges, please elaborate on some the current physical, cultural or psychosocial barriers faced by Haitian & Haitian-American women for screening or seeking treatment. What myths or challenges are preventing more from seeking care or treatment early?

PA: In the Miami-Dade and Broward areas, there are many Haitian women without health insurance and who cannot afford the tests. Other barriers include: fear of knowing what is wrong; fear that cancer means death; belief that cancer is a curse and not a disease; strong religious beliefs that lead women to pray for cure vs. seeking medical help; fear and mistrust of the medical community; and shame to show their breasts and have them touched by a stranger.

TF: This is why there is a need for such associations as the Haitian American Association Against Cancer, Inc. (HAAAC), to dispel such misconceptions with culturally-sensitive information and services. What is the mission of this organization and what is your current role/position in HAAAC?

PA: Our Mission Statement: "Helping to Save Lives and Making a Difference through Education and Early Detection." I am the Project Coordinator for the Association. I am in charge of all the education, outreach and screening services that we provide. I also participate in grant writing, seeking funds and planning activities.

TF: What types of services does HAAAC provide? Who do you serve?

PA: HAAAC serves the South Florida community including Broward, Miami-Dade and Homestead.

We provide free cancer screenings, free education and outreach on cancer and the importance of early detection and screening. We also provide support for patients diagnosed with cancer, including home and hospital visitations, and we are a resource for clients with questions or needing information related to cancer. We run the only Creole Cancer Support Group once a month in Miami-Dade County. We are the only Haitian-based community organization which dedicates 100% of its efforts on cancer control and prevention.

Our phone number is (305) 572-1825 or (877) 572-1825. Our website is www.haaac.org.

TF: What does HAAAC hope to accomplish? What is its vision?

PA: HAAAC would like to expand its services in all counties in Florida with a high concentration of Haitians, such as Palm Beach, Orlando and Tampa. Long-term planning is to be a national cancer organization.

TF: May HAAAC continue to serve, to accomplish its goals, and to expand. What inspires you personally, Ms. Auguste, to continue in this endeavor?

PA: Every time I help a client or I receive a call from a client saying how happy and grateful they are that we were there to help them - that keeps me going.

TF: Where may one find more information on breast cancer, the symptoms, screening techniques, methods of diagnoses, and treatment options available?

PA: There are many available sites on the subject. Here are some of them: www.haaac.org, www.cancer.gov, www.cancer.org. Again, HAAAC's phone number is (305) 572-1825 or (877) 572-1825.

TF: What advice would you like to leave with our readers who are otherwise afraid to seek care or who feel invincible - that, "it'll never happen to me"?

PA: Cancer can happen to anyone at any time. Early detection saves lives. Get screened every year. It's worth it!!!

TF: The information you have shared will unquestionably inspire many to take action to attain knowledge and understanding, and to seek monitoring and treatment options for breast cancer. We thank you again for your time, Ms. Auguste!