Pink October is an international awareness movement for breast cancer control. The date, celebrated annually, aims to share information and promote awareness and prevention of breast cancer; provide greater access to diagnostic and treatment services and contribute to reducing mortality. Sustainable Development Goal 3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages. Prevention is always the best measure!
The importance of mammography
According to the Oncoguia Institute, diagnosing cancer early significantly increases the chances of a cure. 951% of cases identified in the early stages can be cured. Therefore, mammography is essential and is the main method for screening the disease.
According to the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM) Of the 11.5 million mammograms that should have been performed last year, only 2.7 million were performed. The sharp decline in screening is a risk factor for thousands of women and a warning about the importance of the campaign.
Breast Cancer: We need to talk about it
In 2019, INCA's Pink October campaign has the theme “Breast cancer: together, without fear”. The goal is to strengthen the Ministry of Health's recommendations for screening and early diagnosis of breast cancer and to deconstruct fear and myths about the disease.
Whether in the search for early diagnosis, during or after treatment, unity gives us strength to face the difficulties of the disease and to seek a better life. primer, now in its fifth edition, was one of the materials produced for the campaign.
Although, October concentrates most of the actions, the INCA and the Ministry of Health recommend that activities be continued throughout the year and that women be aware of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer every month, so that they can seek medical assistance.
Pink October in Brazil
The Pink October campaign in Brazil began in São Paulo on October 2, 2002, when a group of women sympathetic to the cause of breast cancer, together with the support of companies, lit up the Mausoleum of the Constitutionalist Soldier – Ibirapuera Obelisk in São Paulo in pink. The action attracted media attention and kicked off the campaign in Brazil.
