The Power of Pink: Inspiring Hope with Early Prevention
Tara A. Spears
Hooray! Nayarit is in 4th Place! For more than a dozen years the beautiful coastal state of Nayarit had the sad distinction of having the highest incidence of female cancers in all of Mexico. It was a dirty little secret until a grass root group of caring international women stepped up to organize help for our Mexican sisters who were fighting breast cancer. I like to think that the lower incidence is partially the result of a decade of women, men, and dogs marching down main street to draw attention to breast cancer. From its inception, the February Pink Parade had the goal of raising money for early detection screening and educating the community about preventative measures. The Jaltemba Walk against Cancer (known affectionately as Cancer Walk) rallied locals and visitors for an afternoon of fun, celebrating life.
March 8 is International Women’s Day and this date offers a good time to reflect on one of the conditions that most affects women: breast cancer. According to the World Health Organization, more than 29,000 new cases of breast cancer and nearly 8,000 deaths related to breast cancer were reported in Mexico during 2020, which place breast cancer as the number 1 killer among Mexican women. Just to put things in perspective, in Canada and the US the incidence of breast cancer is single digit therefore the 18-21% in Nayarit is alarming.
As with all cancers, early detection is vital. In Mexico, 70% of breast cancer diagnoses are made in the advanced or terminal stages. Finding breast cancer early and getting state-of-the-art cancer treatment are the most important strategies to prevent deaths from breast cancer. Breast cancer that is found early, when it’s small and has not spread, is easier to treat successfully. Getting regular screening tests is the most reliable way for early detection. Because Nayarit is primarily rural agricultural, transportation to medical services is problematic. During the decade of providing free mammograms for women with lower resources has involved significant transportation costs. But, to the Jaltemba Bay women that were driven to and from a specialized women’s cancer center, Diagnostic Intregal Vallarta, it is priceless.
The 2020 pandemic marked a particular bleak period for early diagnosis of breast cancer in Mexico. Between the mandatory stay-at-home order during the height of the quarantine and general fear of going to health centers have led to a decrease in routine check-ups. But, Cancer Walk continues to reach out to women via the assistance of Dr. Lidiana Flores. Nearly a hundred Jaltemba Bay women received a pap exam or mammogram during the last 12 months.
There may not have been a pink parade this February, but the dedicated Cancer Walk committee is still active and committed to assisting local people with better health. A large segment of our operating budget is for providing transportation to qualified medical treatment because we know that lack of transportation can be one of the biggest roadblocks to treatment.
Looking to the future, Cancer Walk is still providing early detection free screening but we are broadening the focus to include men and children besides women. For the remainder of 2021 the committee is preparing to help people with medical treatment and after cancer diagnosis expenses. Application for assistance can be obtained at Hinde and Jaime’s downtown restaurant or at Dr. Lidiana Flores office, Calle Fernando Magellenes #30. Please help get the word out by telling your Jaltemba Bay neighbors and your domestic workers that diagnostic tests are available free of charge.
Each person that is dealing with cancer, and their families, are coping with an emotional and financial strain even in good times; in this uncertain economic time of the pandemic, it must be that much more difficult. The Cancer Walk committee is stepping up its effort to make early diagnosis and follow up cancer treatment a priority in 2021. By expanding to include men and children eligiblity for services, Cancer Walk is filling a community need. Awareness and education regarding the importance of early detection is an ongoing goal as well as providing diagnostic screening and assistance throughout cancer treatment.
We are all sisters no matter what language we speak or where we were born; on this international women’s day- and every day- let’s help each other. Cancer Walk is about celebrating life- let’s hope that the power of pink will celebrated again in 2022!
