Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Introduction:

The international Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries each October, to raise awareness about the disease. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors resulting from abnormal growth of breast cells. It is by far the most common cancer among women of different ages. The breast cancer awareness campaigns and research funding have enhanced the speed of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, survival rates have improved, and death toll has decreased; due to early breast screening and new therapies.

Facts:

• Breast cancer is the top cancer among women worldwide and in Africa.
• Breast cancer does occur in men too, but at a lower rate.
• The rates of breast cancer incidence are increasing in all world countries.
• About 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year.
• It is observed that breast cancer mortality rates have decreased in developed countries due to early screening programs and modern therapy.
• Breast cancer affects women at an early age compared to developed countries, imposing socio-economic burdens.
• Most cases are detected at later stages, leading to lower rate of recovery.
• Recovery rate of early detected cases may exceed 90%.

Overview:

Currently, there is not sufficient knowledge on the causes of breast cancer, therefore, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relief the suffering of patients and their families is needed.

Objectives:

• Raise public awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early screening, and the most vulnerable groups.
• Boost awareness about causes of breast cancer, and ways of its prevention.
• Promote awareness on the importance of early screening procedures (e.g. mammogram) to detect abnormal changes in women and breast self-examination.
• Encourage comprehensive breast cancer control programs as part of the national cancer control plans.
• Support breast cancer patients and scientific researches.

Official Date:

• Globally: October 1st-31st, 2019

Theme:

Target Groups:

• All women, particularly those aged 18 – 60 years.
• Breast cancer health associations and organizations, physicians and health practitioners at hospitals and centers.
• The public.