Adamari López Cancer News: ‘Un Nuevo Día’ Anchor Partners With Amgen To Encourage Hispanics Undergoing Chemotherapy [INTERVIEW]

Adamari López is an accomplished actress and Emmy award winning television personality. After being diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer in 2005, she underwent a successful partial mastectomy, as well as chemotherapy. Since her diagnosis, Adamari has served as a public advocate for breast cancer awareness, education and research and today, has teamed up with Chemotherapy: Myths or Facts to help raise awareness of the questions surrounding chemotherapy and what patients might expect from treatment.Chemotherapy: Myths or Facts aims to debunk common misconceptions associated with chemotherapy and encourages patients to take charge of their cancer journey by speaking openly with their doctors.

Now in its third year, the campaign has launched a Spanish-language site, www.miquimioterapia.com, to provide this same useful information to Spanish-speaking patients and caregivers. The initiative features breast cancer survivor, internationally-acclaimed actress and Emmy award winning television personality Adamari López who is sharing her own experience as a cancer survivor in an effort to help others start thinking about the same difficult questions and challenges.Research shows Hispanic adults faced with a cancer diagnosis have very specific challenges in undergoing treatment. Not only are many of their decisions guided by cultural factors, including language, beliefs, values, and traditions – but research also shows that Hispanics may experience a disproportionately higher level of stress related to their cancer treatment. Latin Times interviewed Adamari Lopez about her involvement with this project, personal experience and more.

LATIN TIMES: You were diagnosed in 2005 with breast cancer. After undergoing chemotherapy you are now a breast cancer survivor. Tell us about this new partnership with Chemotherapy: Myths and Facts and what do you wish to accomplish?

ADAMARI LOPEZ: What we wish to accomplish with the campaign Chemotherapy: Myths and Facts is to continue to orient people so that they can go with the proper resources to a doctor if they are diagnosed or if they have doubts they can find all the information they need in the Spanish language on the website www.miquimioterapia.com. You can find so much information in Spanish on this site for example what is chemotherapy and how will this affect my body. Questions that you would have but can forget the moment you hear the word “cancer” and sometimes you don’t even know what to ask. We will have all that information they need in Spanish so that when they go back to the doctor they have a better idea of what to ask and be better informed. In addition, the family members and friends can have a better understanding and that way they can help their family or friend better cope with the situation. On the website you will find my story as a cancer survivor and information on the doctor. His information as an oncologist is vital information that will be very useful to everyone during this process. Our goal is to provide guidance in Spanish along with important and useful information that can clarify any doubt or confusion.

LT: What was your initial thought when you were diagnosed with cancer?

AL: When I found out at first it was like a roller coaster of emotions. I felt well and felt healthy just to think I didn’t feel anything besides a little lump I felt in one of my breast. To think that I had a disease that many have passed away from and that’s the first misconception people have when you hear the word cancer that you are going to die. There are many treatments are available when you find the disease on time. Early detection is key.

LT: I would like to know what Myths that you recall you heard about Chemotherapy.

AL: One myth was that you can’t wear makeup when you are going through Chemotherapy. The reality is when us women are going through this we want to look and feel beautiful even under the circumstances. You can use makeup it just has to be your own and the reason being is because you want to prevent getting an infection. You should not use other peoples make up just your own because while getting chemotherapy your body becomes very vulnerable so it’s easy to get an allergic reaction or infection. Also, that you can’t eat vegetables is a myth and you can.

LT: I think it’s great that Latinos now have a portal that they can reference to and guidance in their native language which is Spanish. Besides the website will there be future community events in which people can ask questions.

AL: For now we are just focusing on the website and this campaign and let the community know that there is a portal they can visit online and acquire information. But maybe the oncologist Mike Cusnir and I in the near future can participate in community talks. So that people can continue being informed and ask direct questions about my experience as a survivor or maybe questions to the oncologist as well. This is a guide so that people can understand the process. There are different levels of chemotherapy some doses are stronger which makes your hair fall out like it happened to me and then there are doses which are lower and it doesn’t cause hair loss.

LT: I want you to send a message to all those people who are seeking guidance and maybe going through chemotherapy at this moment on what www.miquimioterapia.com has to offer?

AL: First start listening to your body. The body gives you signs and sometimes we are too busy and ignore it and we should not do that. I notice the lump on my breast which I knew I didn’t have before and immediately I made the appointment and was seen. Always ask your doctors questions without fear. Start learning your body and how it starts changing. Talk to your family and if you need extra support. It is very important to have family support when you get a diagnosed or when you are getting chemotherapy. They will give you strength to move forward. Keep a positive attitude regardless of how hard the situation is. Always have a lifted spirit wanting to live and smile. All these things are key for you to overcome any situation. Health is important and without it we can’t enjoy our family, friends and all the wonderful things life has to offer.