The Church of Jesus Christ Joins the Fight Against Breast Cancer in Mexico

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is supporting early detection efforts by donating medical equipment to two Mexican organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

In recent years, the rates of breast cancer in Mexico have increased significantly. According to data from the Mexican Social Security Institute, as of 2020, breast cancer was the most frequently diagnosed disease and the leading cause of death in women in Mexico, with nearly 30,000 new cases and about 8,000 deaths, as well as an incidence rate of 40.5 and a mortality rate of 10.6 per 100,000.

The first donation of four monitors and three workstations was given to the AC Breast Cancer Foundation (FUCAM) in Mexico City. This donation will decrease the time it takes radiologists and patients to get the data they need to make informed treatment decisions. It will directly and indirectly benefit more than 90,000 people, including patients and their families. It will also allow 30,000 annual early detection studies to be carried out at the national level.

FUCAM has developed a comprehensive strategy for more than 23 years to address this public health problem. This strategy includes education programs, promotion of timely detection, precision diagnosis, surgical medical treatment of breast cancer, and breast reconstruction as well as psychological and thanatological support.

The second donation of high-tech medical equipment was made to the Mexican Association for the Fight Against Cancer (AMLCC), who delivered it to the ISSSTE General Hospital in Gómez Palacio, Durango, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. This equipment, which provides ultrasounds and colposcopies, will allow an estimated 5,000 women a year to receive early detection for cervical, uterine and breast cancer free of charge.

The AMLCC has operated for over 50 years. It has developed extensive experience in the design and operation of specific programs to combat cancer. One of these programs, "Route for the prevention and care of cancer in women: articulation and implementation for health,” aims to reduce cancer mortality rates in low-income women. Early detection is a crucial part of that program.

"Early detection is the fundamental factor for the survival of patients with breast cancer," explained María Luisa Guisa, general director of FUCAM. She added, “We know that without health there is no life, there is no work, there is no development. ... That is why we would like to continue counting on [the Church of Jesus Christ’s] support, so that more women can have access to early detection studies for breast cancer.”

Local Latter-day Saint leader Juan Manuel Ortega, who was present at the donation to FUCAM, expressed Church members’ dedication to serving those affected by this disease.

“As a community of faith, we stand in solidarity to face a cause that affects many lives: the fight against breast cancer,” he said. “The Church of Jesus Christ has always promoted the values ​​of compassion, love of neighbor and selfless service.”