title: [Agueda of Catania: the patron saint of patients with breast diseases].
abstract: For those suffering from breast cancer, Agatha is their patron saint. She was a beautiful Christian maiden, from Catania, Sicily, who dedicated her life to God. As she rejected the love proposals of consul Quintiliano, she suffered cruel tortures. One of the tortures she suffered was to have her breast cut off, with iron shears, a detail that furnished to the Christian medieval iconography, the peculiar characteristic of Agatha. Catania honors Agatha as her patron saint and throughout the region around Mt. Etna. Saint Agatha's feast day is February 5. All of those dedicated to the treatment and prevention of breast cancer are known as "the soldiers of Saint Agatha".
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Universidad Panamericana, México. cortiz@abchospital.com
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Hidalgo
mesh_terms: D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000266:history*; D049690:History, Ancient; D007558:Italy; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010151:Paintings; D018597:Saints / Q000266:history*