Mayra Castro is a Health Champion with the Cancer Center, a trained community educator who helps connect people in her community to cancer resources and care. Her husband, Artemio Castro, previously served as Co-Chair of the Cancer Center's Community Advisory Board (CAB). For both of them, this work isn't just a role. It's personal. Learn more about their cancer journey below.

Artemio Castro Former CAB Co-Chair Prostate Cancer Survivor

Mayra Castro Health Champion Breast Cancer Survivor

In the summer of 2019, at 51 years old, Mayra was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram showed abnormal cells in her left breast. She was quickly connected with a breast surgeon who built a full treatment plan and took time to answer her questions. On June 17th, she had a lumpectomy, a procedure that removes a breast tumor and a small amount of surrounding tissue while leaving the rest of the breast intact, followed by four weeks of daily radiation. Afterward, she began hormone therapy to reduce the risk of the cancer returning. "That was the beginning of a love and hate relationship with tamoxifen that lasted five years," she says. In the summer of 2024, Mayra was officially declared cancer free.

Six months after Mayra's diagnosis, her husband Artemio found out he had prostate cancer. Because his father had the disease, Artemio kept up with regular PSA testing, a blood test that measures a protein produced by the prostate gland and can signal potential problems. This time, after his test results came back at the top of the normal range, a biopsy confirmed cancer. The initial recommendation was to monitor it, but six months later, a second biopsy showed the cancer was spreading at a faster pace than expected. They decided to proceed with surgery. "I had very high levels of anxiety," Artemio recalls, "not just because of the cancer, but cause of the potential side effects." In February 2021, he had surgery and has been cancer free since. The road hasn't been without challenges, but with Mayra by his side, Artemio is embracing this second chance.

Through it all, the two were also navigating something many families rarely plan for: what happens to the people you love if things don't go as hoped.  As parents of two sons and a daughter, Laura, who has physical and mental health challenges, they faced careful thought and hard conversations about her future. The couple took deliberate steps to make sure she would be safe and cared for no matter the outcome, and those efforts paid off in ways they didn't expect. In July 2022, Laura moved into her own home, an accomplishment Mayra and Artemio believe may never have come together without the urgency their diagnoses brought. Today, knowing Laura is thriving gives them both the peace of mind to focus on their own health, while enjoying her weekly visits and plenty of trips to Dairy Queen with her dad.

"Cancer can be scary," Mayra says "but it can also be the fuel you need to re-evaluate your priorities in life." For Mayra and Artemio, that led them to their community. Both are now dedicated to bringing cancer education and screenings to the people around them, hoping that early detection can spare others from the fear and uncertainty they once faced together.

Inspired by Mayra and Artemio's story? Whether you want to learn more about cancer screenings, get involved as a community volunteer or simply connect with our team, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at CancerOutreach@uc.edu.