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Pink October: month for breast cancer prevention

October, is a month dedicated to breast cancer and its prevention, also entitled as "Pink October"



The movement known as "Pink October" was born in the United States of America in the 1990s, with the aim of inspiring change and mobilizing society in the fight against breast cancer. Since then, throughout the world, the colour pink has been used to pay tribute to women with breast cancer, raise awareness of prevention and early diagnosis and support research in this area.

The Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC), representing EUROPE DONNA (European Coalition Against Breast Cancer) and through the "Winning and Living" Movement, promotes the "Pink October" initiative in order to raise awareness of the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer, namely through Screening, and to disseminate information and forms of support for women and their families.

During the month of October, the Portuguese League Against Cancer challenges the community to join the "Pink October" movement, proposing the development of solidarity initiatives, with particular emphasis on the days when three important events are marked:

  • 15 October: Breast Health Day

  • 19 October: World Breast Cancer Day

  • 30th October: National Day for Breast Cancer Prevention


Breast cancer

Breast cancer is a major public health problem. According to the most recent statistical data (Globocan, 2021), breast cancer is the most frequent (prevalent) cancer in Portugal and worldwide.

In 2020, in our country, it is estimated that 7000 women will have been diagnosed with breast cancer and 1800 will have died from this disease. Despite being the most common type of cancer in women (with the highest number of cases), around 1 in every 100 breast cancers develops in men.

The exact causes of breast cancer are not known. However, some risk factors have been identified that are important to know:

  • The biggest risk factor for breast cancer is age (80% of all breast cancer occurs in women over 50);

  • A woman who has already had cancer in one breast has a greater risk of having this disease in the other;

  • Changes in certain genes, passed down from parents, are responsible for between 5% and 10% of breast cancer cases;

  • Being overweight increases the risk of developing breast cancer;

  • Smoking or excessive alcohol consumption are associated with the development of various cancers, including breast cancer;

  • First menstruation at an early age (before the age of 12) and a late menopause (after the age of 55) are risk factors for breast cancer.

If diagnosed and treated early, breast cancer has a cure rate of over 90%. Prevention and early diagnosis are fundamental for increasing survival and maintaining a woman's quality of life.

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