According to the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), between 2009 and 2013, the overall incidence of breast cancer in the US was 123.3 cases per 100,000 annually. The World Health Organization also informed that breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer death. Each year, the non-discriminatory disease claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of women.
Although breast cancer cases in men are rare, statistics show that about 1 out of every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the United States are male and more likely to occur in older men between ages 60 and 70.
Each October, we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and echo this annual campaign, increasing awareness of the disease and how critical it is to detect it in its early stages.
According to the CDC, after 40, women should talk to their doctors or other health care professionals about scheduling regular breast examinations. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an organization working on the best way to prevent diseases while making recommendations on how doctors can help patients avoid diseases or find them early. As reported by the CDC, the USPSTF recommends that women 50 to 74 years old get a mammogram every two years.
Although breast self-exams have not been found to lower the risk of dying from breast cancer, experts suggest that being familiar with how your breasts look and feel can help you notice lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern.
Hispanics are the largest minority population in the US. Despite White and Black women having the highest incidence of breast cancer overall, the Latinx community is not exonerated from this deadly disease. In fact, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death (16%), followed by cancers of the lung (13%) and colorectum (9%), as reported by Cancer.org.
Many cases are handled privately, while other people like to publicly share their stories and serve as a beacon of hope. Several Latinas in the entertainment industry sadly had experienced what is to be diagnosed with breast cancer. These warriors fought the disease, and today they are living a healthy life.
Find below the Latinas who won the battle against breast cancer
Adamari López
Adamari López was diagnosed in 2005. “I was 33 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was at an excellent time in my career. I was in Mexico filming telenovelas and had just gotten engaged to my partner,” she told Medline Magazine. “One day I felt a little lump in one of my breasts. It surprised me. I went to the doctor. He thought that maybe it was just a normal occurrence during my period. He told me if the lump didn’t go away, I should get an ultrasound. Days later, I felt a sudden pain. They found that I had a mass in my breast.”
According to López she was the first one in her family. “No one had previously had cancer in my family, so it was difficult and surprising to hear the news. But after consulting different doctors, I [chose to] have surgery to remove my breast and be able to continue with my life. I had the love and support of my family, which was vital and essential for me. After that, I received chemotherapy. But in between chemo, I did a fertility treatment, which helped reassure me about still becoming a mother one day,” the actress and tv host revealed.
Bárbara Mori
Bárbara Mori had breast cancer in 2009. To raise awareness, the actress starred in 1-a-minute, a documentary in which she shares her experience fighting the disease.
“It is going to be a wonderful film. What I have heard of it, it is very inspirational and I’m glad that they approached me to be a part of this project. My heart goes out to all the people across the globe who are suffering from cancer,” Mori said. “I have one little advice for them — have faith that tomorrow will be a better day and that you can beat cancer. It is this positive attitude that works wonders. If someone has resigned to his or her fate, it is very difficult for the doctor to motivate that person to stand up tall and fight cancer.”
She adds, “I hope the video reaches out to all the people of the world as I hear there are many big names from across the world talking about cancer and sharing their experiences. My dream is to see a cancer-free world.”
Dr. Ana María Polo
Ana María Polo, known for her TV show “Caso Cerrado,” is a cancer survivor. “I was diagnosed in May 2003, at age 44, and to me it was a total and utter surprise, because there’s not a lot of cancer in my family,” Polo told Whats Up Pub in 2012. “I was totally ignorant about what it was and what to do. After the shock, I learned a lot, started to educate myself. It’s been nine years since my cancer went into remission. I think I’m a better person today because of breast cancer, but it’s hard to look it immediately in the eye.”
“We must really advise and make it aware that it can happen to anybody. This is hitting younger girls, too; we have to be as aggressive as cancer is in its attack. And you have to help yourself, know the signs, know your body and touch yourself, because your life depends on it,” she advices.
Alejandra Guzmán
Alejandra Guzmán was diagnosed in 2007. “This past Friday, August 10th I went to the hospital for a routine check up. Unfortunately a tiny 7-millimeter ball was discovered in one of my breasts, it turned out to be cancerous. I honestly didn‘t expect it. Fortunately the medical exam was timely and it allowed me to face this reality. Only one percent of cancers are discovered so early. The tumor was successfully removed and thank God I am well and in recovery,” she said in a statement.
Daniela Romo
Actress Daniela Romo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. “I remember how I lost the last hair on my eyebrow. I saw myself being reborn,” she said. “I embraced the disease with love.”
“What I want most is to live life to the fullest,” Romo said according to People. “I want to celebrate each day like it‘s a birthday, a new cycle of life. I want to live with passion and gratitude.”
Angélica María
Angélica María, “La novia de Mexico” (Mexico‘s sweetheart) got diagnosed in 1997. “I lived a terrible fear thinking that I was going to die. What happened is that my mother, a cancer victim, had just passed away; it wasn’t breast cancer, but ultimately, it was cancer. I thought I was going to leave my little girl alone. It was a period of great anguish and great terror that I do not wish on anyone,” she said according to El Universal.
“After my breast was removed, I would go for a check-up every three months; now, my reviews are annual. I can miss whatever you want, except my mammogram, because I understood that it is not a game, that you cannot leave that for later, because it is about your life. You realize that leaving it for later can make a difference. The fact that they checked me saved my life because, at the time, I didn‘t feel any lumps,” she emphasizes.
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