Personal Stories and the Importance of Early Detection
Ivett Vivas, at 31 years old, noticed something unusual in her breast. It wasn’t a lump or pain, but constant bleeding that alarmed her, though not enough to act immediately. For six months, she minimized the symptom, clinging to a doctor’s initial assessment that it was hormonal and not serious. She believed, “At 31, breast cancer isn’t an issue.” This initial denial cost her valuable time.
It took her family’s persistent insistence for Ivett to visit the FUCAM foundation, where an ultrasound revealed a problem. Subsequent tests led to a stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis. Thanks to early detection, she only needed a total mammary mastectomy and avoided chemotherapy or radiation. Now, Ivett advocates for early detection through Aerie’s Talk Real campaign, sharing her story with young, active women without risk factors.
Angélica Villalobos, general manager of Hotel Marquis Reforma, and actress Andrea Torre also faced life-altering diagnoses. Their experiences inspired Villalobos to create a platform, while Torre emphasized the emotional impact of hair loss and other side effects. Yahel Leguel from Cimas de la Esperanza highlighted that recovery—physical, emotional, and social—can be the most challenging part of battling breast cancer.
Current Situation
In 2024, according to preliminary data from the INEGI, there were 818,437 deaths, with 94,096 (11.5%) caused by malignant tumors. Of these, 8,451 (9.0%) were due to breast cancer, with 8,384 (99.2%) affecting women and 67 (0.8%) men. Breast cancer accounted for 1.0% of total deaths and was the leading cause among malignant tumor-related deaths.
The defunct rate for breast cancer increased from 15.7 in 2015 to 18.7 per 100,000 women aged 20 and over in 2024. Globally, the WHO estimates over 2.3 million annual diagnoses, projecting more than 3 million new cases annually by 2050 if trends continue.
Expert Insights
Dr. Liliana Torres Torres, coordinator medical regional of IMSS Bienestar in Region 12, stated that fear remains a significant barrier against breast cancer efforts. Dr. Rafael Akira Namba, director of Quality at FUCAM, warned that many women minimize symptoms and lose valuable time by trusting close opinions.
Dr. Kictzia Larios, head of radiology at FUCAM, explained that mammography detects lesions as small as 5 millimeters. Although fear is temporary, early detection saves lives.
Dr. Franco Krakaur, a cancer surgeon, noted that patients often abandon hormone therapy post-treatment due to feeling well or struggling with side effects. This can reduce the survival rate by up to 50%.
Dr. Romeo Castillo, a plastic surgeon specializing in mammary reconstruction, emphasized that reconstruction is about dignity and restoring a patient’s identity, self-esteem, and ability to see themselves in the mirror.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are the common symptoms of breast cancer? Breast cancer may not always present as a lump; it can appear as bleeding, nipple retraction, or skin dimpling.
- Why is early detection crucial? Early detection significantly increases the chances of effective treatment and recovery.
- What challenges do patients face after diagnosis? Patients may struggle with adherence to treatment, particularly hormone therapy, and face emotional and physical recovery challenges.
- What is the role of reconstruction in breast cancer recovery? Reconstruction helps patients regain their identity, self-esteem, and ability to see themselves positively.
