The movement emerged in 1990 and was created by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to alert and inform the public about breast cancer control and treatment.

October is the month when people, institutions, NGOs, companies and monuments adopt the color pink as a way of giving strength to the campaign for prevention and awareness of early diagnosis of breast cancer: Pink October.

Despite the campaigns and the wide publicity on the subject every year, there are still many doubts and apprehensions about breast cancer - the most common type of cancer in Brazilian women, according to the National Cancer Institute (INCA). Although it is a disease that requires intense treatment, talking about it can help clarify the myths and truths and make women feel safer, reducing the fear associated with it. The good news is that one in three cases can be cured if it is discovered early on. That's why it's essential to talk about it with friends and family, as they can all help.

What Pink October is and how it came about

Pink October began in 1990 and was created by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation to alert and inform the public about breast cancer control and treatment. The movement takes place annually and is joined by several countries around the world, which carry out different actions to spread important information about the disease, provide greater access to diagnostic services and contribute to reducing mortality.

The first act related to Pink October in Brazil took place in 2002, in the city of São Paulo, when the Mausoleum of the Constitutionalist Soldier (Obelisco do Ibirapuera) was illuminated in pink. Christ the Redeemer, one of the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, has also supported the initiative.

In 2010, the federal government, through INCA, joined the mobilization, promoting annual events with the participation of civil society. Today, the campaign also helps to raise awareness of cervical cancer.

How to identify breast cancer

Breast cancer is caused by the multiplication of abnormal cells in the breast, which form a tumor with the potential to invade other organs. Some types of tumor develop quickly. Others, slowly. But in most cases, there is a good response to treatment, especially when the disease is diagnosed early on.

According to INCA, age is one of the main risk factors - around four out of five cases occur after the age of 50. It's worth remembering that early diagnosis is still the greatest ally for effective treatment. When identified early, it can be treated right away, preventing the tumor from spreading. For this reason, the advice is to always look at the breasts, in order to notice any lesions on the skin and the beginnings of moles. The main symptoms can be found on the INCA website.

Breast Cancer: prevention and treatment

According to the Ministry of Health, around 30% of breast cancer cases can be prevented by adopting healthy habits, such as exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, not being overweight, avoiding alcohol and breastfeeding. For women between the ages of 50 and 69, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends having a screening mammogram every two years. The exam helps to find the tumor early on in its development, allowing for less aggressive treatment and reducing the chance of death from the disease. Women at high risk should talk to their doctor to see if they should have other tests.

Treatment will depend on the stage of the disease and the type of tumor. The doctor may recommend surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and biological therapy (immunotherapy). In the case of metastasis, when the cancer has spread to other organs in the body, treatment is focused on prolonging and improving the patient's quality of life.

Breast cancer in men

Although women are more likely to develop breast cancer, men should be alert to the signs of the disease. Cases are rare, around 1% of all diagnoses according to the Brazilian Society of Mastology, but they also have mammary glands and can develop the disease.

The symptoms are the same as for women. The standard recommendation of the Brazilian Society of Mastology is also the same for women, after the age of 50. Men with female relatives who have had ovarian cancer at some point in their lives may develop a greater predisposition to the appearance of breast tumors.

There are two problems that require attention when it comes to breast cancer in men. The first is the difficulty in medical follow-up, since men generally don't see mastologists and don't usually have routine mammograms. Another point of attention is the psychological factor, since the disease, which is predominantly female, becomes taboo.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer, also known as cervical cancer, is caused by persistent infection with certain types of the Human Papillomavirus - HPV (called oncogenic types). According to INCA data, it is the third most common cancer in women and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Brazilian women. It is estimated that around 80% of sexually active women will be infected by the virus at some point in their lives. In most cases, the infection regresses spontaneously. However, when this doesn't happen, precursor lesions can appear which, if detected and treated early, prevent progression to cancer. The symptoms are provided by INCA, which recommends that evaluations be carried out at the Health Service. Diagnosis and treatment must be assessed and detailed by a medical specialist, who may opt for surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. The choice made by the professional will depend on the stage of evolution and size of the tumor, as well as personal factors and the patient's history.

Peruca Bank

There are several institutions around the world with important initiatives that support the cause and effectively help women who have the disease. One of them is the Laço Rosa foundation, which has created a free online wig bank. The project helps to restore the self-esteem of women who lose their hair during chemotherapy. Patients with any type of cancer, anywhere in Brazil, can request a wig free of charge. Find out more.

Now that you have a lot of information, how about sharing this booklet from the National Cancer Institute with your friends? Access it here.