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-Editorial
The Calexico Wellness Center became a vibrant hub of community engagement and health awareness as it hosted its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Fair at the intersection of Heffernan and Fourth Street. Residents from all walks of life gathered to access vital resources, share stories, and encourage one another to prioritize their health by engaging in preventative measures against breast cancer.
Attendees had the opportunity to speak with health professionals, obtain informational materials, and get their flu shots. The goal of the event was clear: to motivate both men and women to check themselves regularly and to understand the importance of early detection in preventing potentially life-threatening conditions.
Karla Flores, Board President of Calexico Wellness Center, was the keynote speaker of the event as she shared her experience as a breast cancer survivor for sixteen years. Flores has lost several of her family members to breast cancer and wants to bring awareness to the community.
“I encourage people to be alert as to when they have any symptoms in regards to their health, especially their breast, and is not just in October it’s through the year that they should check themselves,” Flores said.
One of the participants was Dr. Astrid Calderas director of the civil association “En Conciencia Y Salud” the binational group that focuses on health and the environment and mentioned that through their investigations they noticed that cancer has a high incidence in both sides of the border. For that reason, they started a project called “Braids of Union and Strength” where people can donate their hair and they make wigs for people with cancer.
“For us, it has been very satisfying to have this instant positive impact it has in people,” Calderas said. “We invite the community to donate their hair or come to our workshop so they can know how to keep helping the community.”
Dr. Bret Gerber, a pediatrician at Calexico Wellness Center, recommends that teenagers learn how to perform breast self-exams. “I usually start teaching girls between the ages of 16 and 18 how to do a breast exam during their visits,” he explained.
Gerber stressed the importance of awareness events in reinforcing the habit. “It’s crucial to remind women of all ages, especially once they start their menstrual cycle, to conduct monthly breast exams. These events help ensure the practice isn’t forgotten and encourage them to see a doctor if they detect anything unusual.”
“We are always reaching out to the community and educating people, especially women aged 45 and older, to ensure they get their yearly mammograms,” said Blanca Elena Morales Grijalva, CEO of Calexico Wellness Center. “Nutrition is also crucial because we have high rates of cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and young pregnancies. That’s why we are constantly working to educate and prevent as much as possible, one patient at a time.”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released its biennial report, “Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024,” which highlights significant trends and disparities in breast cancer incidence and mortality across different demographic groups. According to the report, while breast cancer mortality rates have dropped by 44% since 1989—resulting in approximately 517,900 lives saved—not all women have equally benefited from these advancements. American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) women, in particular, have experienced stagnant rates over the past three decades, a trend that raises alarm among health advocates.
The report also indicates an upward trajectory in breast cancer incidence, with rates increasing by approximately 1% annually from 2012 to 2021. This rise is particularly pronounced among women under 50 years of age, as well as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women, who have seen an alarming increase of 2.5% to 2.7% annually. For the year 2024, an estimated 310,720 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women, with around 42,250 projected deaths due to the disease.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in the United States, following skin cancer, and it is particularly concerning as the leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic women. The disparities highlighted in the ACS report are indicative of broader systemic issues within healthcare access and education, particularly among marginalized communities.
For instance, the report reveals that while AIAN women have a 10% lower incidence of breast cancer compared to their White counterparts, they face a 6% higher mortality rate. Alarmingly, only 51% of AIAN women aged 40 and older reported having a mammogram within the past two years, compared to 68% of White women in the same age group. This disparity emphasizes the need for targeted outreach and education efforts aimed at increasing screening rates among underrepresented populations.
