Glennys Márquez was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 after a routine check-up in which she detected cancerous cells in her left breast. In conversation with N Digital, she reported that her treatment has been intense and challenging: she has received twelve sessions of chemotherapy, 25 radioterapias and has undergone eleven surgeries, including the removal of both breasts.
The 47-year-old woman, who now resides in the United States, lived her entire life in the Villa Consuelo sector and counts with emotion that defines her life as a miracle since she has overcome two different types of cancer.
For fourteen years, she has resided in the United States where she receives medical attention with the speed that she aspires for those who are diagnosed with the disease in the Dominican Republic to receive.
“The cancer is an illness that consumes you with total sadness, I have psychological therapies, which are covered by the State, here in the United States to receive attention, it is not given as much time as some patients with the disease that I know have had to wait to receive chemo” she recounted.
Despite everything, Glennys holds onto faith and hope for the opportunity to continue living.
“Thanks to God and the United States I have been able to save myself”, she expressed. She is attended to at the Hospital New York-Presbyterian Queens.
October: the pink month
October is internationally recognized as the month of the fight against breast cancer, an opportunity to raise awareness about this illness that remains the main cause of cancer-related death in women.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health, the incidence and mortality of this illness continue to be an urgent concern.
According to the 2020 Globocan statistics, in the Dominican Republic there were over 3,400 new diagnoses of breast cancer and nearly 1,600 deaths attributed to this illness. This represents an incidence of approximately 59.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and a mortality rate of 26.4%, figures that reflect the need to strengthen national prevention, diagnosis, and treatment programs.
Prevention and early detection
Prevention is key to reducing the risk of breast cancer. The Ministry of Public Health recommends maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding alcohol and tobacco consumption, and promoting breastfeeding, which offers protective benefits for mammary health.
Early detection is fundamental to improving prognosis and survival. It is recommended that women perform self-examinations of their breasts from the age of 20, ideally five days after their menstrual period, to detect any changes in the skin, texture, or shape of the breast. Signs such as retractions, skin with an appearance of “orange” or palpable masses should motivate immediate medical consultation.
For women with family or personal histories of cancer, it is advised to initiate a mammography profile from the age of 35, which includes mammography and ultrasound, key tests for detecting lesions in early stages.
The cost of treatment: an economic challenge
One of the major challenges in managing breast cancer is the high cost of oncological medications. Although advances in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and hormone medications have improved survival rates, these treatments are often expensive and difficult to access for a significant portion of the Dominican population, especially those without medical insurance or access to state programs.
The cost not only includes medications, but also continuous diagnostic tests, hospitalizations, and specialized care, which can represent a significant economic burden for patients and their families. This reality demands a greater commitment from the State and the private sector to ensure universal and equitable access to effective and affordable treatments.
Regional and global context
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), cancer is one of the main causes of mortality in the Americas, with 1.4 million deaths in 2020, of which 47% corresponded to people under 69 years old. This panorama reiterates the urgency of strengthening prevention, education, early detection, and access to treatment strategies throughout the region.
