October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we would like to share the inspirational stories of these Latinas who have battled with the disease. Some won the battle, others barely made it, but one thing remains the same: cancer does not discriminate, and together we can help raise awareness.Latin Times
Cancer does not discriminate. It doesn't matter where you come from, your background, your upbringing... when it gets you, it gets you. Some people struggle in silence, while others want their stories to be heard and perhaps serve as inspiration. According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization.
One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
Each year it is estimated that over 252,710 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,500 will die.
Although breast cancer in men is rare, an estimated 2,470 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and approximately 460 will die each year.
On average, every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and 1 woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes.
Over 3.3 million breast cancer survivors are alive in the United States today.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and the need to detect the disease in its early stages. Latin Times encourages all women who are over 40 years old or who have a family history of breast cancer to schedule regular examinations with your doctor or OB-GYN. It could save your life. Below, find some of the encouraging and heartbreaking stories of some of our beloved Latinas who have fought the disease. Some have overcome breast cancer, but others were not so lucky. To those women who lost the fight: we remember you every single day.
Adamari López was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and after undergoing a successful surgery, López is now cancer-free.Getty
Back in 2009, Bárbara Mori revealed that she had undergone an operation to remove a breast cancer tumor. Luckily, she didn't need chemo and is now healthy and looking gorgeous, as always.Getty
Singer/actress Daniela Romo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011. After six months away from the media, undergoing treatment and working towards her recovery, she finally addressed the subject looking healthy and stronger.Mezcalent
1997 was a rough year for Angélica María, because she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately, the singer/actress/ Mexican legend won the battle and is doing better than ever.Reuters
Alejandra Guzmán was diagnosed in 2007, and two days later, she underwent a procedure to remove the tumor. Guzmán is now doing great!Reuters
Luz Casal was diagnosed with breast cáncer in 2007. After a successful recovery, she was again shaken with the news that the cancer was back, this time on her other breast. She’s currently recovered.Reuters
Ana María Polo, famous for her TV show “Caso Cerrado,” battled breast cancer and now is as healthy as one can get. She is a spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen foundation. Reuters
Encarna Salazar (left), from the Spanish duo Azúcar Moreno, is cancer-free after dealing with the disease in 2011.Getty
Lorena Rojas, Mexican singer/actress was diagnosed in 2008 and managed to recover successfully from breast cancer. However, in 2012 she was diagnosed again, and the cancer had spread to her bones and other organs. Although she had it controlled for a while, Lorena passed away in February, 2015.Getty
Eva Ekvall, Miss Venezuela and third runner-up in the Miss Universe 2001 contest, was diagnosed with breast cancer and unfortunately lost the battle in 2011. She wrote a book documenting her struggle and became an activist with the Fundación SenosAyuda. Getty
