You are the homemaker and CEO of your household.

Perhaps the most common reason why women delay treatment is that they are the head of their household. You have so much responsibility, and accomplish so many tasks throughout the day – from cooking to cleaning to being the primary childcare giver – and those shoes will be nearly impossible to fill while you are away getting cancer treatment. Regardless of if they work a ‘first shift’ through employment outside of the household, women consistently spend more hours taking care of the household than men. [1]

As such, it is understandable why women hesitate to leave to receive treatment and place so much extra responsibility on others. However, it is important to look at the positive side of this scenario.  You are taking the necessary steps to ensure that you can attend to your family for years to come, because the potential for this may be hindered should you delay your cancer treatment. You are giving your children the opportunity to strengthen their bond with loved ones –people you love and know will do everything they can to provide all they can for your children. You are demonstrating strength and courage when you make the decision to pursue cancer treatment as soon as possible, and who better for your children to learn these traits from than you?

CMN Hospital’s ACT program is very comprehensive; this includes your physical, mental, and emotional wellness. As such, we recognize how important it is for you to interact with and stay involved in the lives of your support system. We often hear women who have an interest in our hospital express that they do want to come to CMN Hospital to get treatment, but only after a special event (graduation, a wedding, a funeral, an elementary school play, etc.) has passed. While we understand and recognize that you want to be present, it is hard to hold onto the importance or priority of needing to act fast to heal your body from cancer.;

CMN Hospital works to be accommodating to you and your support system. We offer exceptional Wi-Fi for you to be able to call, text, Skype, Zoom, and FaceTime your loved ones. Should you want to have a support person present for the entirety of your stay, CMN is unique in that we allow you to bring a companion – free of additional cost (including stay and meals – with you when you come to get treatment in our facility. Unlike other hospitals, especially those located in the United States, we also allow visitors (including children!) at virtually any time that you are not receiving medical treatment. Your visitors are allowed to stay overnight as well because we know how important time with your loved ones is. 

Feeling uncertain about pursuing medical treatment in Mexico

This is an extremely valid concern and one that we address with potential patients frequently. It is important to keep in mind that the potential of risk varies by location, similar to how different cities are more or less dangerous than others in the United States, England, or any other area around the world. Mexico is no different, but Mexico does not have immoderate crime rates in comparison to others. Mexico covers nearly two million square kilometers and is the sixth-largest country in the Americas; it is illogical to believe that the crime rate of one region is duplicate or similar in another. [2]CMN is located in San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, is only a few blocks from the Yuma AX/Mexico-United States border. As such, our location is unique in that: 

• “tourists are the focus in these border communities, [so] the currency of choice is the American dollar, and English is almost universally spoken. 

• Most tourist-oriented businesses are within an easy stroll of the border

• Canadians outnumber Mexicans on busy winter days.” [3]

• We are located in one of the safest areas of Mexico, and we want our patients and their guests to feel safe always.

“I don’t want to go just yet because I need to ensure I’ll have privacy while I’m there. I also need to go somewhere that can accommodate my current diet.”

CMN Hospital knows how important privacy is to our cancer patients; as accommodating as we are with allowing support companions and making sure there is plenty of time for family visitation, we are even more protective of our patient's privacy. Compassionate care must cover all ends of the spectrum, and our patients must be as comfortable as possible. Our exceptional cancer treatment program is housed in a specific hospital wing, meaning you will not be roomed next to someone with a different ailment than you. This is partially to protect you from potential illnesses, as you must maintain a healthy immune system throughout the duration of your stay, but also because we recognize the importance of privacy for all of our patients.

For times when you feel social, having a separate cancer wing helps in fostering a special support community. You will have the opportunity to connect and bond with other women who are fighting cancer just like you are; when you want to, you will be able to lean on each other for support, grow together, and talk about non-cancer-related topics, just like regular friends.

We also recognize how important diet is to those fighting cancer, and we want to empower you through your diet. You will meet with a nutritionist rquestedl, and you will be able to work together to come up with a plan; CMN will never tell you what to do. We value your input in any conversation, including those about your dietary needs or desires. Every individual is different so everyone will have different dietary preferences, and we will honor that to the best of our ability. CMN does not sponsor one particular diet, rather, we believe the one that enables you to feel your best is the right one for you. 

Looking at the Science: Why do women wait?

Further, a 2014 study found that, although the reasoning may differ across races, there are significant numbers of women of all racial backgrounds delaying their breast cancer treatment:

 “household size, losing a job due to one’s diagnosis, and immediate reconstruction was associated with delay in the overall population and among White women. Immediate reconstruction and treatment type were associated with delay among African American women. Racial disparities in treatment delay were not evident in the overall population. In the adjusted models, African American women experienced greater delay than White women for younger age groups.” [4]

Breaking this down further, the study revealed that, “among African American women, who were a minority in the overall population, immediate reconstruction and first course of treatment were associated with delay. The adjusted models demonstrated that women with 2-person households experienced greater delay than women with other household sizes and women who had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction experienced greater delay than women who received other treatments.”4The study also found that “women ages 50–64 and without symptoms tended to be more likely” to delay their breast cancer treatment, particularly of the Caucasian descent.

 It is extremely important that you not wait to seek treatment, as the risk of metastasis increases each day you delay. In a separate 2014 study “of 553 patients in Pittsburgh with breast cancer metastasis, treatment delay was defined as the time in days between the date of diagnosis of initial breast cancer metastasis (the date of first metastatic biopsy or CT scan) and the date of the initiation of first treatment. Treatment delays of over 12 weeks were related to adverse survival outcomes.”[5] Your life is valuable, and you should not put it at greater risk of harm’s way by putting off treatment.

Final Thoughts

Cancer is an extremely intense fight; it tests you not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. The battle brings to you new decisions to make, and it may seem as though you have to make 1,000 choices a day, on top of the daily responsibilities you already have. It’s okay - and completely normal - to feel hesitant or nervous, about your medical decisions, especially those that involve your treatment plan. However, waiting to act is still acting; your cancer will not recognize that you’re only delaying the treatment while you figure out how your house will run while you’re gone; cancer will not halt its ability to spread, ever. 

You play such a major role in all of the lives around you, even more than you may realize, so it is important that you take the steps necessary to be there for them as long as you can. This means that you cannot risk your cancer progressing or metastasizing by delaying your treatment. Be strong, and take the initiative needed to fight your cancer head-on. You have more power, support, strength, and courage than you may realize.

Contact Us

CMN Hospital provides advanced alternative cancer treatment and is looking forward to discussing your options. To schedule a video consultation with Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital please contact us.

Prioritizing Social Engagements over Health:

A Dangerous Misstep in Cancer Treatment

At CMN Hospital Cancer Treatment, we often encounter a concerning trend among potential patients. After discussing our comprehensive treatment plans, a frequent response we receive is, "I want to come for treatment, but only after..." This distressing statement is often accompanied by a myriad of reasons. Perhaps a loved one is due to graduate from college in two months, only one person can cook their daughter's favorite meals, or a second cousin's wedding is just a week away. It is evident that there is a prevalent tendency to prioritize social commitments over seeking essential medical care.

While we certainly understand the significance of these life events and the desire to be present for our loved ones, it is crucial to acknowledge the serious impact this delayed decision may have. Every moment matters when it comes to combating the further spread of disease, especially when vital organs are at stake. Delaying cancer treatment can have dire consequences. If left unchecked, the disease voraciously attacks the body, potentially leading to a significant deterioration in the patient's condition.

What may have been a manageable situation could spiral into a critically urgent one, drastically reducing the chances of successful treatment or even diminishing the possibility of recovery. At CMN Hospital, we urge potential patients to reassess their priorities. While social engagements are important in our lives, we must recognize that our health and well-being must come first. Oftentimes the reason is very noble because a mother will want to put her adult children first and not burden them but she may lack the much-needed self-compassion for herself.

By postponing treatment, individuals risk compromising their health. We encourage those considering delaying their treatment to reflect on the potential long-term consequences of their decision. We empathize with the difficulties of dealing with cancer and want you to know that time is of the essence. If you can help it you should not wait to seek treatment, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Let us help you prioritize your health and well-being, so you can focus on what truly matters - spending time with loved ones and creating meaningful memories.

“Treatment can cause significant financial burden.”

Dr. Payan and our medical team understand that cancer treatment costs can be overwhelming and may cause delays. While it's a valid reason to postpone treatment, it's important to remember that time is crucial in cancer cases. Delaying treatment can have serious consequences. Even small contributions from them can quickly add up and assist you in starting treatment sooner. Reach out to them for support.
At CMN, we prioritize your health and well-being. We understand that financial constraints can often prevent timely treatment, which is why our treatment plan is designed to be very affordable, despite the range of services we provide. With CMN, you will have access to 24/7 care for 28 days, and our compassionate team extends beyond just medical treatment. We offer various programs and activities to support your mental and emotional healing, recognizing that fighting cancer is a continuous battle. Your investment in your health is valued, and we are dedicated to providing you with excellent care as our top priority.

To schedule a video consultation with Dr. Payan at CMN Hospital please contact us.

References

[1]Sifferlin, Alexandra. “Women Are Still Doing Most of the Housework.” Time. 2014.

[2]“The World Factbook: Mexico.” Central Intelligence Agency.

[3]“Going to Mexico.” Visit Yuma.

[4]McGee, Sasha A. et. al. “Determinants of breast cancer treatment delay differ for African American and White women.” NCBI.2014.

[5]Caplan, Lee. “Delay in Breast cancer: Implications for Stage at Diagnosis and Survival.” NCBI. 2014.