Cristela's Story

My mother died of breast cancer a few years ago. She was born in 1944.

My mother didn't go to any doctor to be examined. She was too ashamed to be touched by another man. When doctors detected the disease it was too late for her.

Perhaps, if she would have been examined, she would have been able to get treatment; she may have met her grandchildren, and so many other things.

Taking my mother's story into account, I went to an examination in 2004. The results came back clear: I had fibrosis without pain. My doctor said that they would become cysts and that they would begin hurting in a few years.

Now, four years later, I have many cysts. They don't hurt me, but I know that they could become cancerous. I remember what my mother said after she knew she only had three months to live: "You know what, don't be ashamed. Doctors studied to save lives, you must not be ashamed to be examined."

I now know she was right. Perhaps, if she would have been examined, she would have been able to get treatment; she may have met her grandchildren, and so many other things.

If cancer is detected on time it can be cured.

Today I am single. Yes, I am a little bit ashamed to be touched by another man. But life comes first. You have to be strong. You have to love yourself. A lot of women don't want their husbands to leave, so they just don't want to know. They are too afraid to be left alone. Talking specifically to them I say, "Think about your children, your parents, your brothers, your sisters, your aunts, your uncles and your nieces. Think about your family. It is not only your husband you have to think about; it is your whole family and your own life.

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