breast cancer awareness month

breast cancer awareness month

Health

Everyone knows it has to do with breast cancer, but do you really know what Pink October is about? Discover what’s behind the campaign:

When the tenth month of the year arrives, it doesn’t take long for Pink October to gain prominence. This campaign, which takes place every October, Its main focus is to raise awareness about the importance of prevention and diagnosisearly breast cancer.

Furthermore, the movement reignites discussions about female health careencouraging exams such as mammography and self-examination, as well as promoting access to information about the risk factors and treatment of this disease that still affects so many women around the world.

So, let’s find out a little more about this important month? Happy reading!

What is Pink October?

For those who don’t know, Pink October is a global campaign that takes place every Octoberwith the aim of raising awareness about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer.

The initiative began back in the 90s, created by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, one of the largest health organizations combating breast cancer worldwide. The idea is to encourage people to have regular exams, such as mammography, and to get to know their own body better, as early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of more effective treatment.

Also, the campaign aims to support those already facing the diseasepromoting events and activities to spread information, as this is a delicate time for many women, and support at this time can make all the difference.

Finally, to give you an idea, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA), between 2020 and 2022, Brazil recorded more than 66 thousand new cases of breast cancer. This data reinforces how essential it is to raise awareness and awareness among the population about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis.

How did Pink October come about?

For a long time, breast cancer has not received due attention. The Pink October movement only gained strength in the 1990s, in the United States, with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Some campaigns on the topic were already taking place, but in a very isolated way in certain states.

Fortunately, as time passed, the movement grew and gained strength, mobilizing people around the world. Today, he not only promotes the importance of early detection of breast cancer, but also encourages access to informationtreatments and emotional support for those facing the disease

The Pink October campaign began to gain ground in Brazil in 2002, still timidly, when the Ibirapuera Obelisk, in São Paulo, it was lit pink to draw attention to the cause. After that, the event remained lukewarm year after year.

Given this, It was only in 2008 that the movement gained strength in several Brazilian cities that embraced Pink October, organizing marches, promoting races and, as in the rest of the world, lighting the main monuments in pink at night.

Therefore, over time, the mobilization around breast cancer awareness gained more and more strength. In 2018, this importance was officially recognized with Law No. 13,733which established October as the month dedicated to breast cancer awareness in Brazil.

What is the importance of Pink October?

breast cancer It is the second most common type in the worldespecially among women, and this high incidence explains the importance of raising awareness among the population about prevention and early diagnosis.

Not Brazil, The number of deaths associated with this disease is still worryingreaching up to 13 thousand deaths annually, largely due to late diagnoses, when the cancer is already in advanced stages, unfortunately.

Given this, This delay in diagnosis may be caused by a lack of informationlimited access to routine exams, such as mammography, or even the fear of facing the disease, which reinforces the need for awareness campaigns.

Therefore, among the main points of importance of this campaign, we can list:

  • Raise awareness about the need to build healthy habits;
  • Access to health and information services;
  • Raise awareness about the disease;
  • Reduce the number of deaths;

What are the risk factors for breast cancer?

Like other diseases, breast cancer is also associated with some risk factors. And this isn’t just talk: experts in the field reinforce this idea based on research and data. Among the main risk factors, they highlight:

1- Age and sex

Unfortunately, the main risk factor for breast cancer is being female, followed by age. This means that, as time passes, the risk increases, especially among women over 50.

Therefore, this combination of gender and aging ends being one of the biggest reasons for the emergence of new cases, which reinforces the importance of keeping preventive exams up to date.

2- Genetic issues

One of the other issues of concern regarding breast cancer are the genetic factors. If someone in the family has already had the disease, the risk of other relatives also developing it always increases.

According to studies, Between 5% and 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditarylinked to genetic mutations, such as those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which can be transmitted from generation to generation.

Therefore, it is important pay attention to family history and talk to a doctor about the possibility of specific early detection tests. Consulting a specialist is always essential! Okay?

3- Reproductive issues

Risk factors include early first menstruation and late menopause. Additionally, women who become pregnant after age 30, who have never had children, or who have not breastfed may also be more exposed to these risks. These factors are linked to greater exposure to estrogen, a hormone that can influence the development of breast cancer.

4- Lifestyle

Finally, the frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages, along with other lifestyle habits, such as obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and an inadequate diet, are important risk factors for the development of breast cancer.

Also, it is worth highlighting that excess alcohol can increase estrogen levels in the bodywhich is also related to the increased risk of this disease.

How to prevent it?

Above, some factors that may contribute to the emergence of breast cancer were listed. And how to prevent it? The first, very important step, It’s about changing your lifestyle.

Therefore, maintain an exercise routine, have a balanced diet and avoid alcohol consumption can make all the difference. Furthermore, studies show that breastfeeding is also an effective form of prevention.

Finally, It is super important for every woman to know her own body well.. Making a habit of examining your breasts on a daily basis can be a great help in identifying early signs. It is worth remembering that many discoveries of changes end up being made by women themselves.

What are the signs and symptoms of breast cancer?

Among the main symptoms of breast cancer, we can highlight:

  • Presence of nodules on the neck or even in the armpits;
  • Change in breast shape;
  • Redness or wrinkled breast appearance;
  • Liquids coming out of the breast (except during breastfeeding, of course);
  • Fixed, painless lump in the breast;

Remember: ideally consult a specialist doctor at the slightest sign of change in the breast. Take care!

Now, on the subject, this other post can also be very useful: 8 symptoms of breast cancer that go far beyond the lump.

Bibliographic References:

SILVA, Gabriela Rodarte Pedroso da et al. Trend in breast cancer mortality rate in women aged 20 or over in Brazil, 2005-2019. Science & Public Healthv. 29, p. e01712023, 2024.

DIAS, Maria Beatriz Kneipp et al. Adequacy of the provision of procedures for the early detection of breast cancer in the Unified Health System: a cross-sectional study, Brazil and regions, 2019. Public Health Notebooksv. 40, p. e00139723, 2024.

MONTILLA, Dalia Elena Romero et al. Mortality from breast cancer in elderly women in Brazil and in major regions: use of SISAP-Idoso. Electronic Magazine of Communication, Information & Innovation in Healthv. 17, n. 2, p. 372-386, 2023.