Knowing Your Cancer Risk
A ccording to Project HOPE, Black Americans are more than twice as likely as white Americans to not have enough health care options near where they live. Jamaal Richie, M.D. is a UofL Health physician working to combat this statistic. As a Louisville native, Dr. Richie is returning to his roots at the UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus – Parkland location. “Health inequities among African Americans, for me as a Black male physician, are a pressing concern,” he said. “And it should be a pressing concern for all of us – it definitely demands attention.” As a primary care provider, Dr. Richie’s goal is to prioritize ensuring accessibility and awareness of cancer screenings among African Americans. Dr. Richie and his team proactively reach out to their patients to inform them about the importance of regular screenings and engage in community outreach programs to raise awareness and address any barriers to access. With a focus on removing barriers to access, UofL Health offers culturally sensitive education to enhance understanding, encourage early detection and work closely with patients to schedule convenient appointments. Their commitment to comprehensive and compassionate care drives them to advocate for regular screenings, as well as finding and filling any care gaps during appointments, empowering patients to take charge of their health and well-being. The four most diagnosed cancers in African Americans are prostate, breast, lung and colorectal cancer. Many of the symptoms of these cancers can be easily overlooked or attributed to other factors.
These symptoms include: • Prostate Cancer: frequent urination, blood in urine or semen and erectile dysfunction. • Breast Cancer: lumps or changes in breast appearance that might be dismissed as benign. • Lung Cancer: persistent cough or chest pain. • Colorectal Cancer: unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits and rectal bleeding. Raising awareness about the risk factors and symptoms of these cancers is crucial to promoting early detection and improving treatment outcomes. Regular screenings based on individual risk factors can help detect cancer at an early stage when it is more treatable. Lower your risk by: • Knowing your risk factors and when you need to be screened for cancer • Living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise • Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol • Practicing sun protection • Getting vaccinated against viruses like HPV and hepatitis B • Being aware of changes in/to your body and sharing these with your provider
A Louisville Native, Jamaal Richie, M.D. grew up in the Parkland area, attended Central High School, Indiana University Southeast and University of Louisville School of Medicine. As a primary care provider, Dr. Richie’s goal is to provide quality care to marginalized communities impacted by the lack of accessible health care. Returning to the community he grew up in, Dr. Richie is grateful to serve west Louisville and strives to break down the barriers to equitable health care. Dr. Richie is an active advocate for health equity, working tirelessly to bridge gaps and ensure every member of the community receives the quality care they deserve. You can find Dr. Richie at the UofL Health – Urgent Care Plus – Parkland location or out in the community building relationships and providing quality health care. JAMAAL RICHIE, M.D.
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