Tara A. Spears
The annual La Penita Breast Cancer Clinic has united women from across the community and the state of Nayarit since 1996. It is about more than getting a new boob and bra; the patients return because it is a positive experience that is underscored with hope and compassion as the volunteers in cheerful pink share smiles and hugs.
Many of the women travel for hours by bus to receive assistance at this first weekend of February breast cancer clinic. Thousands of Breast Cancer survivors have reaped intangible benefits from partaking in the La Penita Clinic: for that day she can be herself, respected and valued. There is nothing but praise for this clinic but sadly, it almost became extinct in 2025. The community rallied and now, under new leadership (lead photo)
the next chapter has begun.
As of the midpoint in the 2026 clinic, approximately 350 women were receiving assistance. Follow their Facebook page, Jornadas 2026 comité Clínica de cáncer de mama Bahía de Jaltemba 2025, to learn what and how to donate or to volunteer. The new executive committee has lots of talent, enthusiasm, and good knees! It is exciting to know that this wonderful social service will continue for years due to its many caring supporters.
Some of the patients, and a few of my neighbors, have asked, “why do you (the volunteers) want to help strangers?” My reply is that we are all the same, sisters of the heart no matter what our age or first language. The Cancer de Mama clinic has developed a high level of trust and acceptance that transcends the language barrier. “It’s a two-way street now,” observed a volunteer. “Before, they (the women clients) were shy and uncertain. Now they kid around and reach out to us just like real sisters do!” What is a truly horrible physical illness has united women of all shapes, sizes, colors and background- with all of us becoming a better person for the experience.
This popular response to a social problem is solely funded by donations and without any paid staff. The astonishing transformation of the senior center into an attractive, organized clinic for three days requires the cooperation and year-round efforts of many people. The new management team has already developed several much-needed fundraising initiatives that help make the clinic sustainable. The key task of obtaining donated prosthesis from other countries is a long, challenging process to overcome the customs gauntlet.
For many women in Nayarit, just surviving breast removal surgery is not the conclusion of the ordeal, there is still a huge uphill battle for regaining self-esteem and feeling like a woman again. Statistics from the Mexican National Institute of Salud Publica indicate that breast cancer mortality has increased in Nayarit. In addition to this sad statistic, there is a lack of after surgery care proved by the government for the lower socioeconomic individuals without health insurance, which is approximately 60% of the Nayarit population. The Cancer de Mama Clinic addresses this real need by providing free medical prosthesis, tidbits, and special bras to women breast cancer survivors from our region.
Another important function of the Clínica de cáncer de mama Bahía de Jaltemba is providing treatment for post-surgery lymphedema. The constant high humidity here triggers the condition besides deteriorating the compression wraps quickly.
In 2017, the clinic added treatment for the women affected by secondary lymphedema, chaired by Caroline Maze. Approximately 60% of the Mexican ladies seen last year were suffering from lymphedema, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The trained volunteers provide appropriate wraps and teach the woman how to apply it herself. In addition, the patient is shown physical therapy exercises to help alleviate daily pain.
Thank you to the former executive committee (above) that worked so diligently for 15 years. You’ve earned your angel wings, ladies!
Many, many thanks to the new generation -all of whom are young, working age – of clinic committee members for stepping up with love and enthusiasm. We look forward to your achievement with Clinica Cancer de Mama’s next chapter. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”
