Rebeca Haro wants to use her stage four breast cancer diagnosis to spread early detection awareness.
Since one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer, she volunteers at
Cancer Resource Center of the Desert and Between Women Inc., promoting self-exams, clinical exams and screening mammography.
“I want people to be diagnosed in the early stage, because it’s less painful, and they have more opportunities to live,” she said.
Her doctor told her that those with stage four breast cancer have a 16 percent chance of living more than five years.
Three years after her diagnosis, that statistic still fills her eyes with tears.
“The statistics say this, but I believe in miracles. Until that, I want to help other women, what they can do for an early detection,” she said. “I don’t want to spend tons of time thinking about what went wrong, because I can do nothing now but work and help others with my own experience.”
She is studying to receive her certification as a community health worker.
Haro always had healthy lifestyle habits, working out, eating healthily, not smoking or drinking in excess. She said this gives her a strong foundation to fight the cancer.
Younger women often think life is forever, she said, and Latinas in particular at times don’t speak English and feel intimidated to speak up about health concerns.
Diana Peacher, chief executive officer of Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, said of Haro:
“She facilitated a support group in Spanish for women diagnosed with breast cancer, she helps with phone calls, she inspires those around her — Rebeca is fabulous,” Peacher said.
She also wants people to not be afraid of breast cancer. She showed her mastectomy scar to her family.
“I wanted to show them so they don’t be afraid. It’s like ‘hold my hand and walk with me.’ Don’t be afraid and understand,” she said.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
Since one in eight women will be diagnosed with cancer, she volunteers at
Cancer Resource Center of the Desert and Between Women Inc., promoting self-exams, clinical exams and screening mammography.
“I want people to be diagnosed in the early stage, because it’s less painful, and they have more opportunities to live,” she said.
Her doctor told her that those with stage four breast cancer have a 16 percent chance of living more than five years.
Three years after her diagnosis, that statistic still fills her eyes with tears.
“The statistics say this, but I believe in miracles. Until that, I want to help other women, what they can do for an early detection,” she said. “I don’t want to spend tons of time thinking about what went wrong, because I can do nothing now but work and help others with my own experience.”
She is studying to receive her certification as a community health worker.
Haro always had healthy lifestyle habits, working out, eating healthily, not smoking or drinking in excess. She said this gives her a strong foundation to fight the cancer.
Younger women often think life is forever, she said, and Latinas in particular at times don’t speak English and feel intimidated to speak up about health concerns.
Diana Peacher, chief executive officer of Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, said of Haro:
“She facilitated a support group in Spanish for women diagnosed with breast cancer, she helps with phone calls, she inspires those around her — Rebeca is fabulous,” Peacher said.
She also wants people to not be afraid of breast cancer. She showed her mastectomy scar to her family.
“I wanted to show them so they don’t be afraid. It’s like ‘hold my hand and walk with me.’ Don’t be afraid and understand,” she said.
Staff Writer Chelcey Adami can be reached at 760-337-3452 or cadami@ivpressonline.com
