The health system should be a refuge for brave women facing breast cancer, not an obstacle. This was reiterated by López Elizalde during the presentation of the Technical Guideline for the Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment, Control, and Epidemiological Surveillance of this disease.
At the event, Martín Batres Guadarrama, general director of ISSSTE, highlighted that in the last two years, 20 centers for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer have been opened, along with 106 medical units equipped with mammographs. These actions have made it possible to conduct hundreds of thousands of tests and procedures, thus contributing to improving the detection and care of this disease.
During the presentation, a campaign for breast reconstruction that has benefited 172 patients to date was also mentioned. The presented Guideline aims to ensure equity in the care of people with breast and metastatic cancer, following WHO and PAHO guidelines.
Health Secretary David Kershenobich emphasized the importance of prevention, timely diagnosis, and access to appropriate treatments in the fight against breast cancer. It was emphasized that Mexico, in addition to its large cities, has communities that also need attention and health care.
The Guideline was constructed with a comprehensive vision that involved the experiences of patients, families, and health professionals. Among those who participated, the story of Lucia Leonor Sánchez Quezadas, diagnosed with breast cancer during her pregnancy, was highlighted. The importance of having a mammogram, especially for women over 40 years old, was emphasized.
The document aims to reduce breast cancer deaths in Mexico by 2.5 percent annually, considering that this disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in women over 25 years old in the country. It is expected that, through better practices and processes, more effective care centered on the needs of each patient will be achieved.
With 18 sections covering everything from prevention to the training of health personnel, the Guideline seeks to progressively improve the attention to breast cancer in the country. The importance of education for achieving early diagnoses was emphasized, and the cultural diversity that influences access to medical care was recognized.
In a message directed at women facing this disease, a sincere apology was expressed for the times when the health sector has not met their needs. It was acknowledged that each woman is unique, with her own story and struggle, and the commitment to work for more empathetic, effective, and patient-centered care was reiterated.
