The activity open to the community, promoted by SQM Litio, included the participation of the artisan Dionisia Berna Ayavire, who made busts with clay of San Pedro de Atacama and the breast surgeon of the National Cancer Institute and the Oncology Foundation, Tatiana Fuentes.
PalpArte promotes early detection through art
The main objective of PALPARTE was to educate the community about breast cancer and the importance of self-examination and early detection. This initiative transformed art into a powerful tool for self-discovery and awareness, in a context where breast cancer represents the main cause of death at the national level. In the Antofagasta Region, the figures reflect a 2% increase in female mortality due to this disease.
«Through art, we can raise awareness and transmit this information through culture, supporting those who face this process. Breast cancer is the main cause of death in women in Chile. There are various prevention strategies, and it is crucial to recognize both modifiable and non-modifiable factors. We must work to improve these aspects, raising awareness in the community about the importance of self-care and promoting mammograms,» said Tatiana Fuentes.
He also stressed that “early detection has cure rates of over 90 or 96%, which contributes to an excellent life expectancy by allowing for timely detection.” He also recalled that in 2020, statistics showed a mortality rate of 8.5% per 100.000 inhabitants, with more than 1.600 deaths recorded.
Clay sculptures as a symbol of prevention
The event also included the participation of artisan Dionisia Berna Ayavire, who conducted a workshop in which attendees were able to create busts using clay from San Pedro de Atacama. “Art is intertwined with ancestral crafts,” said Dionisia, originally from Toconce in Alto El Loa and who has lived in Atacama La Grande for eight years. In her workshop, she combined ancestral culture with a more modern one, such as medicine. “Today we are presenting some busts, some representing sick women and others healthy women, with the aim of raising awareness about the importance of prevention and self-care,” she emphasized. She also highlighted the need for young women to begin performing self-examinations from adolescence, and then continue with the corresponding examinations in Primary Health Care (PHC).
María Zuleta, Deputy Manager of Community Affairs at SQM Lithium, concluded by stating that "PALPARTE is an initiative that merges art, Atacama culture, and health, in a territorial approach. Our goal is for it to serve as a vehicle to convey the importance of self-care and prevention, as well as to raise awareness about the various aspects of breast cancer care."
Review all the projects planned for the community of San Pedro de Atacama.
