Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found in women and, according to statistics, it claims one in ten of us. In Slovakia, it accounts for 18% of all cancers in the female population. Every 19 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with breast cancer. Now look around you. If there are eight women in a room, one of them is likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. As the nonprofit organization No to Cancer states on its website:
"The incidence of breast cancer in Slovakia continues to rise. The estimated number of women who will be diagnosed this year is more than 3,000. The number of all women with breast cancer in Slovakia is more than 30 000. It is estimated that around 900 women die of breast cancer annually in Slovakia3. But if women take the time to regularly self-examine their breasts, and more women, at least 60%, go for preventive mammograms, we can achieve a reduction in mortality by a third. So up to 300 women in Slovakia do not have to die needlessly, we can save them... Do this. Save your breasts - save your life! 5 out of 6 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. This means that this type of disease tends to metastasize - spreading through lymphatic pathways or overgrowing into surrounding tissues and organs and forming further foci there."
Cancer doesn't choose by age, status or skin colour, it doesn't ask for permission, it comes unexpectedly and without knocking... The good news is that we are not defenceless and we can really do a lot not only for ourselves but also for others. If cancer is detected early, the survival rate is very high. In reality, if detected early and is in a localized state with no further metastases, the 5-year relative survival rate* is 100 percent (*relative survival rate means the percentage of patients who live x number of years after their initial diagnosis rather than after treatment). That's why it's so important to raise breast cancer awareness, we can save our mothers, sisters, girlfriends... On average, up to 300 women a year die completely unnecessarily because they don't have regular screening mammograms, which can detect the disease at a stage when it can still be treated.
Cancer is never about the individual, but affects a whole host of people who love us - our children, partners, family and friends. We can all help in the same way. How?
- Encourage women in your area (especially those aged 40-49) to have regular mammograms
- talk to the women in your area about the importance of doing regular (1x a month after menstruation) breast self-examination
- Share educational content about Breast Cancer Awareness Month on your social networks
- According to statistics, every year up to 10% of women are not diagnosed in time. You can reduce the percentage of deaths from this disease - talk to your mother, aunt, grandmother, sister, daughter or friend about awareness month. You can save a life - think pink
- you can make a one-off or regular donation to organisations that deal with this issue in Slovakia, such as the non-profit organisation No to Cancer
Time is the best doctor. This is not only true in terms of treatment, but also in the early diagnosis of the disease. In this case, the main role is played by regular preventive check-ups combined with mammography and self-examination of the breasts. Knowing your breasts can save a life. The ideal time to self-examine the breasts is after the end of menstruation, when the dogs are free of hormonal influences. If you notice any changes during the breast self-examination, it is important to see a gynaecologist immediately.
