Local Breast Cancer Survivor Urges Coachella Valley Women to Prioritize Health

February is Cancer Prevention Month, and local breast cancer survivor Edith Cantu is sharing her journey to encourage women in the Coachella Valley to prioritize their health by getting screened for breast cancer. Cantu, the owner of Pure Barre in Palm Desert, discovered a lump in her breast while teaching a class, leading to a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis. “It was the worst day of my life,” she recalls. “The first thing I thought was, am I going to die?”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, second only to skin cancer, and accounts for nearly one in three new cancer diagnoses in women each year. Dr. Edith Jones-Poland highlights the importance of early detection, stating, “By screening early and detecting a cancer early, we can have a significant improvement on lifespan and quality of life.”

Throughout her battle, Cantu found strength in her gym's supportive community, which played a crucial role in her recovery. Now a proud survivor, Cantu urges women to take action, emphasizing the importance of self-checks and regular mammograms. "Please check yourself. It saved my life, and it could save yours too," she says, encouraging others to experience the life-changing benefits of fitness during National Cancer Prevention Month.