Breast cancer is a top priority issue on the global public health agenda. In Panama, it remains consistently the neoplasm with the highest incidence and the main cause of oncological diagnoses in the female population. However, behind the cold statistics of medical books, there are human stories of struggle, resilience and restructuring of life.
In an in-depth and emotional interview for the television program Jelou, Dr. Roberto García Castillo (recognized in digital environments as @doc_anticancer), surgical oncologist and mastologist at Panama Cancer Clinic, joined Mitzi Vásquez, a specialist in public health, occupational medicine and survivor of the disease, to put on the table a topic that is rarely talked about openly: mental health, psychological sequelae and the social reality of life after cancer.
The Evolution of Mastology: From Traditional Mammography to Advanced Early Detection
During the development of the interview, it was highlighted how diagnostic medicine has made giant strides. Traditionally, prevention was limited almost exclusively to the annual recommendation of conventional mammography from a certain age. Today, the pillars of early detection have been transformed to offer a much more accurate and hopeful picture.
New technologies that save lives and preserve aesthetics
Dr. Roberto García explained that the current medical arsenal has high-resolution tools that allow microscopic lesions to be identified long before they are palpable:
- Breast Tomosynthesis: A three-dimensional (3D) mammography system that reduces false positives and allows breast tissue to be evaluated layer by layer, which is crucial in patients with dense breasts.
- Breast MRI: A high-sensitivity study used to stage disease, assess symmetry, and plan personalized surgical approaches.
This technological evolution not only dramatically increases cure rates, but completely changes the surgical approach. By detecting the tumor in incipient stages, surgeons can avoid radical or disfiguring procedures, opting for conservative surgeries that protect the physical integrity and self-esteem of the patient. In the past, advanced stages required extremely aggressive systemic treatments (chemotherapies), intense radiation and mastectomies that left sequelae that were difficult to assimilate for the rest of life.
The Invisible Scars: Post-Treatment Mental Health Management
One of the most shocking moments of the show occurred when Mitzi Vásquez shared her brave first-person testimony. After completing conventional treatments and managing to clear his body of the tumor, he faced a reality that takes many patients by surprise: the battle of the mind.
“When you think you’re going up the mountain, you may relapse. When you think you’re reaching the top, you might slip a stone and turn down. In the end we managed to reach the top, but there are scars… You can see the physical scars, but the most relevant are the psychological scars.” — Mitzi Vasquez, Public Health Specialist and Survivor.
The role of psychiatry and psychology in oncology
Mitzi said that she had to face her chemotherapy treatment in the middle of the confinement period due to the pandemic, walking alone through the parking lot for 45 minutes a day to keep her body active. Although she initially managed her mental strength on her own, after completing the medical sessions she felt the emotional impact of assimilating the seriousness of what she had overcome and the constant presence of the fear of relapse or metastasis.
Dr. García and the presenters emphasized that going to a psychologist or psychiatrist is not a symptom of weakness, but a fundamental part of comprehensive cancer treatment. Mental health support helps process trauma, stabilize emotions, and provide the patient with the necessary tools to lose the fear of living fully after medical discharge.
The Care Network: The Role of the Caregiver and Support Circles
Cancer is a disease that affects the entire family structure. A patient’s successful recovery is directly linked to the strength of their social and affective support network.
Stories of Unconditional Love: Family Sacrifice
Mitzi shared with the audience a beautiful anecdote about her son. Recently graduated from law school, he made the firm decision to temporarily give up his first steps in work and postpone his plans to study a master’s degree in finance and business in the United States to stay in Panama dedicating himself completely to taking care of her and accompanying her to each of her medical appointments. Once she was stable, he was finally able to travel and fulfill his academic goals for two years abroad before returning.
In addition to the direct family nucleus, external support networks play a crucial role:
- Faith and Religious Circles: Community groups and churches that assist homes to provide spiritual support, prayer, and accompaniment.
- Support Groups such as “Breath of Life”: Communities of patients and survivors who share experiences, organize workshops, and support each other. Dr. García took advantage of the television space to invite the population to the dance and educational event organized in Parque Omar, designed precisely to activate the body and soul of patients completely free of charge.
Conclusion: A Strong Mind for a New Life
The greatest lesson that this testimony leaves us is that in life after cancer, a person cannot live with the constant thought that he or she is going to die, even though that possibility is a latent medical reality in any human being. Acceptance of reality, combined with ingrained psychological strength, a healthy lifestyle, and optimal nutrition, are the true pillars of consolidating victory over disease.
Are you ready to take control of your health with a humane and comprehensive medical approach?
Dr. Roberto García Castillo understands that your process requires the utmost surgical excellence in mastology, but also the respect, empathy, and emotional support that your mind needs to heal completely. Don’t walk this trail blindly.
