Anavel Olmedo was born in San Diego, California, but raised in Tijuana. Her life has been marked by both joyful moments and challenges, all of which she has faced with resilience and courage.
In 2021, in the midst of the pandemic, she received a diagnosis that would change her life: breast cancer. It all began when she discovered a lump during a self-exam. That small sign sparked a mix of intuition, fear, and concern. Without waiting for a doctor’s order or prior consultation, she decided to undergo tests on her own. Thanks to this initiative, she was able to detect the disease at an early stage.
Although she was aware of her genetic predisposition, the diagnosis was still surprising. She never imagined that if cancer came into her life, it would appear in her breasts. Her mother, María Graciela Guerrero López, had passed away from stomach cancer, and her brother had suffered from brain cancer—family history that significantly increased her risk of developing the disease.
In an interview with San Diego Red, Olmedo shared her treatment journey and highlighted the people who were key to her recovery. Among them were Dr. Jorge Santiago Zavala Ruiz, a surgeon with over 27 years of experience in Tijuana, and her friend Mario Lozano Delgadillo. It was at Hospital Ángeles where she received her official diagnosis.
Although Olmedo, Lozano, and Dr. Zavala already knew each other, it was Lozano who facilitated her consultation with the doctor. Ultimately, Dr. Zavala performed the surgery to remove the cancer. A gesture that deeply moved Olmedo was that the doctor did not charge a single peso for the operation. Later, Bertha Tiznado, a Tijuana native and executive director of the nonprofit We Support U—which assists individuals and families affected by cancer—adopted Olmedo into the organization’s support network. Through We Support U, she received invaluable help to complete her treatments.
Mental Health and Support During Olmedo’s Diagnosis
During the interview, Olmedo emphasized that her children, Sofía Paola and Sebastián, were an essential part of her support system. She noted that both researched the diagnosis extensively and, although initially shaken, demonstrated resilience:
“They have a lot of their mom in them—they didn’t give up, they researched, and they remained calm. At first, they cried with me, but they saw my attitude and said: if she is strong, so are we.”
Olmedo said seeing her children’s fear gave her strength. Despite many difficult moments, she maintained optimism throughout her treatment.
“Having a support network is very important, and I had mine with my children and an aunt who is like a mother to me, María Victoria Jiménez. She was my mother’s voice here on Earth, giving me peace and tranquility,” she said.
Finally, Olmedo offered words of encouragement to others facing similar diagnoses:
“It’s okay to be afraid, but not all the time. Don’t lose faith, and remember that your attitude toward the disease will guide you toward the best outcome.”
