Costa Rica. Kotex, Kimberly-Clark’s pioneering feminine care brand, joins the prevention and early detection of breast cancer with a campaign to sensitize its consumers during the month of October, through an alliance with the non-governmental organization “ United Against Cancer ”.
“The pandemic has caused many women to stop going to the doctor for mammograms and annual checkups for fear of Covid-19 infections. That’s why in October, Kotex will launch a special edition on its panty liners with a guide to performing a manual breast self-exam in four simple steps. Our desire is to sensitize our consumers about the importance of visiting the doctor regularly and doing the self-exam ”, emphasized María Puga, manager of Kotex for South Central America and the Caribbean.
Breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the female population and the second most common in the world. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), about 1 in 12 women will become ill with this cancer in their lifetime.
The WHO points out that in 2020 2.2 million cases were detected in the world and around 685,000 women died as a result of this disease.
In Costa Rica, each year some 1,600 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and around 430 die, according to data from the WHO and the World Cancer Observatory.
“The problem of cancer patients during the Covid-19 pandemic is complex and constitutes a challenge for public health. In addition to the risk and fear of contracting the infection, these patients have difficulties in receiving the usual medical services, due to the established declaration of health emergency. This generates delays in the treatment and rescheduling of their medical check-ups ”, explained Alexandra Núñez, founder of the NGO“ Unidos Contra el Cáncer ”.
Keys to early detection
Oncology specialist Dr. Stephanie Perichón explained the important difference between early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Early detection is achieved through breast self-examination, mammography, and physical examination by a specialist. “When a nodule is detected – a suspicious growth that forms under the skin – what we seek is to detect it as soon as possible and located only in the breast so that the patient has a good long-term prognosis,” said Perichón.
On the other hand, the prevention of breast cancer is to act on the risk factors. “Some are modifiable such as obesity, exercise, a diet low in fat and carbohydrates and high in fiber and fruits, as well as taking hormonal treatment for a long time. Others are not modifiable such as genetics, mutations with a high prevalence of breast cancer, having received radiotherapy in the thoracic area ”, he added.
The main key is to focus on early detection of cancer. “In Costa Rica we have a good health system and access to many therapies that are the same as those given in the first world. The patient who arrives late is, unfortunately, a patient that we will not be able to cure ”, he emphasized.
Perichón recommends that women begin to have an annual mammogram at age 40. “In some cases, and if there is pathology, a breast ultrasound could be done every six months, but this is in very specific patients,” he said.
Regarding advice to prevent breast cancer, the specialist said that it is important to have a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and physical exercise.
“That the patient is aware of the changes in her own body and that she knows how to detect when something is not right so that she can make an early consultation. When we receive patients in consultation, they tell us that they had that ball three years ago, but until now it started to hurt or turned red. The ideal is not to wait for something to change to make a query. If there is something suspicious, that is the moment to consult ”, he pointed out.
Access to a better quality of life
Kotex will support, through a donation, the NGO “Unidos Contra el Cáncer” so that more women in the country have access to specialized tests, treatments and a better quality of life.
“Thanks to this alliance, we will positively impact the health of Costa Rican women diagnosed with this disease. To date, this organization has benefited more than 9,500 patients through different initiatives, since its foundation in 2012. We are very happy to support this project that gives cancer patients a hand throughout the process, ”said Puga.
Source. Central American and Caribbean Digital Newspaper
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