According to the statisticsbreast cancer has become the first cause of death in women in Mexico. The reason is precise: “Detection is still late, because we are not doing something right,” he explains. Elisa Puente, director of Fundación Cima in interview with MILLENNIUM.
She, together with Alejandra de Cima – a cancer survivor, as she was detected at an early stage – is 22 years old carrying the message about the difference between life and death that an early diagnosis implies.
“We are talking about a curable disease, which unfortunately in Mexico is detected in 70% of cases in an advanced manner; We are not taking advantage of the window of opportunity for it to be between 75 and 85% curable, because when the stage is advanced it is no longer curable —explains Puente—. It is a cancer that has already evolved into metastatic, and involves much more expensive treatments in every sense, not only economically, but also mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and in the side effects.”
Although he recognizes that with the campaigns that are carried out and that are made more visible in October, the month that is recognized as pink, “yes there has been progress, but the progress in taking action is not being enough”, because women do not examine themselves or do their studies: ultrasound and mammography, as statistics reveal. This presents a strong problem, due to the costs that the disease requires.
Against this backdrop, various foundations and associations have joined forces with the idea of creating the General Cancer Control Law.
“We are under the creation of the General Cancer Control Law, we are more than 20 founding associations of the Working Commission for the creation of the Cancer Law. We play in many fields in the issue of completing or providing more holistic help to patients,” he explains about the actions to ensure that it is considered a public health issue.
“We had a first draft bill last year, and we already have a bill that we have worked more with consultancieswith doctors from different states of the republic to make it more complete, more efficient, to have a general cancer law that leads us to have an efficient National Cancer Control Plan, in the sense that it is mandatory; send a public policy that strategically addresses the issue of cancer in general, not only breast cancer, but children and adults, all types of cancer.”
While the objective is achieved, Puente highlighted the relevance of having the support of various companies to continue helping patients, in the case of breast cancer, with prostheses, oncological wigs, sleeves for lymphedema, consultations, treatments and even with information.
“The important thing here is that with this initiative that we are carrying out by various foundations, and with the issue of having support —Cima with Ocean Spray, Aerie, Galletas Marian and all the brands that support us; Fucam with Estee Lauder, Marquis Hotel; the Mexican Association to fight cancer with Avon—our presence is enhanced and that makes the authority look at us from another perspective, because we are not representing a patient, but rather organized society.”
To express question, the director of Cima highlights that at this time with the recent change of government, they have already taken actions to seek government support for their fight.
“We are starting to send requests and with this type of campaigns, just as ordinary people realize and see us, we want the decision makers in the government to realize the presence we are having and the needs we have. there is”.
RECOMMENDATION THAT SHOULD BE TRADITION
Dr. Nora Moguel, radiologist and specialist in breast imaging, at the Breast Cancer Foundation (Fucam), who was accompanied by Daniela Magún and Gloria Calzada at the appointment called by Estee Lauder, specified that the condition “It is not a disease that appears overnight”when breast cancer is detected it is because it has already been developing for five years.
“My recommendation has always been self-examination, you have to start exploring yourself from the moment you start menstruating to detect any variant. The idea is to do it on the fifth day after starting your period. If there is no longer menstruation, choose a day and always do it on that date.
From the age of 25 you have to go to the doctor and have an ultrasound, since through this study any changes can be detected.
At age 40 it is necessary to have a mammogram, which, although it is an invasive study, is the only one that will report the appearance of breast cancer. Sometimes it is complemented with ultrasound.
LOOK GOOD, FEEL BETTER
In the treatment process experienced by cancer patients, the mood is essential to achieve a better result, since a sad, depressed person tends to lower their defenses, which is to their detriment. For this reason, the National Chamber of the Cosmetics Industry (Canipec) has offered a program with various workshops that help patients feel good for 11 years.
“In the midst of the fight against cancer there is beautythere is light; With that philosophy we work in a variety of workshops in which we help patients look good, so that they feel better, with the idea of strengthening their self-esteem,” explains Rosy Sánchez Maldonado, head of Canipec.
This support “is possible thanks to the support given to us by the brands that are part of Canipec. Our mission is to ensure the comprehensive well-being of patients, so we work with them to achieve physical health, mental health and emotional health, all important to be at their best during their treatment,” he explains.
Frody also collaborates in this part of self-esteem, with his collection of caps to send to make oncological wigs that he gives to foundations.
RISK FACTORS
Mayra Galindo Leal, director of the Mexican Association to Fight Cancer, after thanking the support that “Avon has given us for many years,” referred to the risk factors.
There are two types of factors, natural ones and those that we can modify. The first are: being a woman, not having had children, not having breastfed, having or having had a family member (mother, maternal grandmother, sister or daughter) with breast cancer, having started menstruation very early or having ended it very late, and having had children after the age of 30.
Among the factors that we can modify are the habits or actions we do such as: obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, drinking, hormone replacement treatment in menopause.
BREAST CANCER REALITIES
Dr. Akira Namba, director of Fucam Morelos, denied that there is currently a painless mammogram and urged the participants in the Pink Conscience Breakfast offered by the Marquis Hotel in coordination with Fucam; not to believe the information that appears on TikTok.
The specialist also highlighted that cancer is currently affecting women from the age of 25, pSo it is essential to follow the recommendations for early detection. He also reiterated that it also affects men, although the percentage is 1%.
Sarai Montero, specialist in oncology nutrition, explained that in terms of nutrition, the less processed the food is, the better, that people with the condition have to make a protein adjustment and that supplementation is a good option, always monitored by the doctor.
DAG
