It was the most beautiful reason for an only son who went to live on the other side of the world to give him the comforts they never had. She accompanied him when the money ran out in a foreign country and there was no work; she was his strength while he ate eggs as a main dish meter from a Supermax. Because of her, her little one never allowed himself the possibility of not getting ahead.

For some time, she had felt a strange lump in her breast. She ignored it until she could, but one day she found herself alone in a consultation facing a weighty diagnosis: “We need to have surgery”; and the words crept into her mind, dangerous. She remembered the lifelong friend who every so often lost another piece of breast and the cancer kept coming back; she recalled her image on the last visit, with the scarf covering her empty head, the pair of green circles under her eyes, the disgust drawn on her face.

On the way home, under the warm sun, she made the most difficult decision of her 50 years: she was not going to get treatment. She intended to live the rest of her days with the optimism that there are terrible things that cannot harm you if you do not allow them. She did not hide behind preserving her beautiful bust, her attractiveness, only in living the time that was marked out for her, with a single assault, with the force of a single attack.

The family did not notice the changes, they did not perceive fear, uncertainty, and much less regret. Everything continued with the hard normality of Cubans. Two years later she returned to the hospital with a different condition, with the agony now blurred. She said goodbye to her child from the cold screen of a cell phone, leaving the most tangible hole that can fit in the chest. She lost herself in an even more terrible pain, she was about to leave her son alone. And she did it.

…

Breast cancer is one of the main causes of death in women worldwide. Treating it is crucial for life. Early detection and treatment significantly increase survival rates. In addition, they help reduce the risk of relapses, which can occur years after the initial sighting.

Acting in time not only saves lives but also has a positive impact on families and society in general, by reducing the suffering and costs associated with the disease.
In Las Tunas, Dr. Iris Alicia Valenzuela González, coordinator of the Cancer Program in the province, assures that work is done to face the pathology from early detection and guarantee quality institutional support.

“We have a Benign Breast Pathology consultation enabled in each of our polyclinics and Health areas in the territory, not only in the main city but also in the rest of the municipalities - emphasizes Valenzuela González.

“There is a specialist in Mastology there, in charge of performing the examination on the patient and her first ultrasound to see or detect a sign that speaks to us in favor of any breast pathology, whether benign or malignant.

“For those who are of age, a mammogram is performed to see and corroborate any malignant pathology they may have; and in these cases, they are referred to the multidisciplinary consultation or central breast consultation, which takes place on Fridays at our Ernesto Guevara hospital.

“This consultation is made up of a team of specialists including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, psychologists, and specialists in Pathological Anatomy. Together, a consensus is reached, and the conduct to be followed with each person is taken there.”

In Las Tunas, breast cancer is a major concern. Early detection and adequate treatment are essential to improve survival rates and the quality of life of patients.

The medical community in the province has been working to raise awareness about this disease and promote the importance of early detection. In addition, prevention and treatment programs have been implemented to support affected women.

The doctor reiterated that for the benefit of the people of Las Tunas and even amid the shortage of supplies that the sector faces, any action that involves the well-being of a patient, mostly women, who suffer from breast cancer, is prioritized.