Todo Bien
Pudor, or modesty, keeps many Latinas from feeling totally comfortable at the doctor.
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When breast cancer is detected and diagnosed early, a patient has a99% five-year survival rate.
You also have to see the doctor regularly so they can do something about it.
For Latinas, both knowing your body and seeing the OB-GYN are subject to major cultural stigmas.
Unfortunately, the longer they wait out of fear, the worse a potential condition can become.
Parental influence was a huge part of how these Latina women thought about their breast health.
For Maria, 21, showing pain or discomfort was viewed as being dramatic when she was growing up.
I was told I needed to be strong, she tells Bustle.
I had takenPlan B and it messed up my cycleand I was scared, she tells Bustle.
The conversation was very short; she just asked if my boyfriend and I were being careful.
Ultimately, her mom went with her to the appointment.
It totally turned me off to the whole process.
As a result, Nicole hasnt gotten an exam in years.
Some have found that saying rings especially true when it comes to breaking down stigmas around womens health care.
Evelyn, 41, was diagnosed withbreast cancerin March 2020.
Maelia, 27, blames the societys sexual objectification of breasts for making breast exams feel uncomfortable or awkward.
I think its important to have more conversations about it and therisks of not getting examined, she says.
Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Tambien debe ver al medico con regularidad, para que pueda hacer algo al respecto.
Para las latinas, tanto conocer su cuerpo como ver a un ginecologo estan sujetos a importantes estigmas culturales.
“Desafortunadamente, cuanto mas esperen por miedo, peor puede volverse una potencial condicion”.
“Pero no piensan en que como quiera puedes ir a checarte aunque seas virgen”.
“Me dijeron que tenia que ser fuerte”, le dice a Bustle.
“Habia tomado Plan B y arruino mi ciclo y estaba asustada”, le dice a Bustle.
La conversacion fue muy corta; me pregunto si mi novio y yo estabamos siendo ‘cuidadosos’ .
Al final, su madre la acompano a la cita.
“Me desconecto totalmente de todo el proceso”.
Como resultado, Nicole no ha tenido un examen en anos.
Evelyn, de 41 anos, fue diagnosticada con cancer de mama en marzo de 2020.
“Creo que es importante tener mas conversaciones al respecto y los riesgos de no examinarse”.
Las entrevistas se han editado y condensado para mayor claridad.