In 2018, just three weeks after losing her mother, Lupe was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer. With no family history and few symptoms, the news came as a shock. What she remembers most from that time was hearing the word “cancer” and feeling everything else fade into the background.

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Lupe faced her treatment with quiet strength. She chose surgery and radiation, but what no one prepared her for were the lasting effects on her body and intimacy. Radiation forced her into menopause almost overnight, bringing hot flashes, dryness, and painful sex. When she asked her doctor for guidance, she was handed a single outdated handbook. It was a painful reminder of how often women’s questions about intimacy and sexual health are overlooked.

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Determined not to stay silent, Lupe began researching on her own, finding progressive doctors, hormone replacement therapy, and pelvic floor therapy. She discovered community and support through SHE+, where conversations about survivorship, pleasure, and intimacy were not ignored but welcomed. Today, Lupe speaks publicly about her experience, helping other women understand that sexual health is part of overall health, and that no one should feel ashamed for seeking answers.