Maricela Vazquez is a meteorologist at Telemundo Chicago and she recently shared her breast cancer experience with Northwestern Medicine in the hopes that more women will get regular checkups and breast exams. In her interview with Northwestern Medicine, she said “Moms always use their kids as excuses for not taking care of themselves, but you should prioritize your health so that you are able to be around for your kids in the long run and set a good example of health for them,” she says “All women have to make sure they are on top of their health. Don’t put off your screenings, and stop making excuses.”
Maricela’s regular mammogram showed abnormal tissue. If abnormal tissue is detected during a mammogram, your physician may suggest further screening, likely in the form of a biopsy, during which a tissue sample is taken and tested for cancerous cells. Maricela’s biopsy determined that she had breast cancer. Maricela was treated at Northwestern Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.
Maricela is no stranger to a busy schedule. She studied meteorology at Mississippi State and then pursued a career as a meteorologist. She has two young children. But taking care of one’s health has to be a priority for even the busiest of women. According to Cancer.org, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. The average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13%. Breast cancer is sometimes found after symptoms appear, but many women with breast cancer have no symptoms. This is why regular breast cancer screening is so important.