A Rio Grande Valley native said self-exams helped save her life.

Ancilla Gonzalez is in remission and undergoing estrogen treatments after breast cancer treatment. She said she’s hoping to educate other women about the importance of those monthly checks.

Gonzalez said she found a lump in her breast last year during a monthly self-exam. She credits other breast cancer survivors for saving her life because their stories pushed her to get a second opinion.

"I had other ultrasounds done in the past, and they all looked OK," Gonzalez said. "Listening to the fact they were also in the same boat at one point and they wanted to push and ask more questions helped me advocate for myself.”

On Oct. 29, 2025, doctors told Gonzalez her pathology report came back as invasive ductal carcinoma. She said the diagnosis left her with numerous questions.

"There are a lot of unknowns, a lot of questions in your head. What's going to happen? Am I going to need chemotherapy? Am I going to lose my hair?" Gonzalez said.

In the months that followed, Gonzalez underwent surgery and radiation therapy. She also leaned on her family, friends, and support from the Titas Tatas Foundation, an organization she now works with to promote early detection.

"The goal of the foundation is to educate and to reach the community and impact them and educate them on the importance of self-exams," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez wants other women to know the importance of self-checks and speaking up for themselves.

"Take a deep breath, trust in the Lord, have lots of faith," Gonzalez said. "Now it is really nice to take a breath and leave that in the past."

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