October 19 is not just any date on the calendar. This is International Breast Cancer Day, a disease that affects one in eight Spanish women. The Spanish Association Against Cancer Spain (AECC) estimates that in 2022, 34,740 new cancers of this type will be diagnosed in our country. It is the most common tumor in women, although if it is located in time, the cure rate is very high.
Early detection of breast cancer is key to providing treatment and reducing mortality. Several celebrities who have overcome the disease have echoed its media impact to raise awareness about the importance of carrying out periodic check-ups. La Vanguardia compiles some of these stories.
Carla Bruni (55) is the latest celebrity to make public that she has overcome this disease. The artist shared a video through her social networks in which she explains that she was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago. “Surgery, radiotherapy, hormonal therapy... I followed the usual treatment for this type of cancer. But I was lucky: my cancer was not yet aggressive. Why wasn't he aggressive? Because he didn't have time to become aggressive.”
The former first lady of France wanted to explain her experience with breast cancer to raise awareness among women. “Every year, on the same date, I have a mammogram. If I hadn't had it done every year, I wouldn't have a left breast today.”
“The reason I post this today is to give a message. But a key message for all women reading this: get your mammograms every year. Get your mammograms. "His life depends on it," adds Bruni.
According to the AECC, the possibility of curing breast cancer that is detected in its earliest stage is practically 100%. Screening campaigns in the healthy population aim to detect possible cases before symptoms of the disease appear. Currently, it is recommended to perform a biennial mammogram (every 2 years) for women between 50-69 years old.
Sarah Ferguson (63), Duchess of York, was also diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine mammogram. Thanks to the early detection of the cancerous tumor, doctors have been able to treat the disease before it spread to other parts of the body. The team of professionals advised Prince Andrew's ex-wife to undergo surgery, from which she is already recovering in Windsor with her ex-husband and her daughters, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York.
Ferguson's case is a clear example of the importance of carrying out periodic reviews. The Duchess of York's official spokesperson states that she was feeling well and had no symptoms, so the mammogram was able to prevent the situation from silently worsening. "She is very grateful to the medical staff who performed the mammogram and the medical staff who cared for her these last few days, she is incredibly grateful."
The Argentine influencer Aylén Milla announced last May that she has breast cancer. The former 'GHVIP' contestant, who hid her illness for months, has made her illness public to support women who find themselves in the same situation.
Milla already feels “strong enough to tell it.” The former Amor a Test contestant has presented the new version of her through Instagram. “I don't have hair and I don't care. I don't have eyebrows and I don't care. I don't have eyelashes. Because of my job I felt like I had to buy a wig, but my purpose now is to help and empower other people.”
Ana Rosa Quintana has also become an icon in the fight against breast cancer. On November 2, 2021, she announced that she was temporarily leaving television because she had been diagnosed with breast carcinoma. Eleven months later she rejoined the routine, but with some changes in her lifestyle. “My doctors think what I do is very good, but this is very stressful and they want me to rest a little more,” she explained in TardeAR.
The journalist has taken advantage of her public profile to give visibility to her fight against breast cancer on several occasions. Quintana does not want to forget all those people who have been or will be diagnosed with the disease. “Right now there are many people going through the same thing, thousands of women who are experiencing it or are going to experience it.”
Although the AECC estimates that breast cancer survival is 85%, it also claims thousands of lives each year. Last September, influencer Nicky Newman (35) died after five years of fighting the disease. The young woman went to the hospital for a spontaneous abortion, and she discovered that she had an extended and incurable tumor.
The activist decided to fight breast cancer under the motto "catch life", and used her social networks to help women around the world discover early if they suffer from cancer. "We are never ready to hear these words, we think that we are indestructible and that a magic cure will appear, but the truth is that we all live this life day by day. So please promise me that you will appreciate those around you and give to your friends and loved ones the biggest hug. CATCH LIFE!" he prayed in his last message.
Actress Suzanne Somers (76) also died this week, a victim of aggressive breast cancer. She had suffered from the disease for 23 years, at which time she decided to step away from television to focus her professional career on Broadway.
Breast cancer continues to be the most common tumor in women. The GLOBOCAN report estimated that in 2020, 2,261,419 new breast cancers were diagnosed worldwide, 12.5% of new cancer diagnoses. Today, more than ever, we must continue to support research against this tumor.
