Pink October is a national information campaign on early detection and the fight against breast cancer organized since 1994 by the Pink Ribbon Association. This campaign was founded by the magazine Marie-Claire and the Estée Lauder group.
The aim is to raise awareness of breast cancer screening among the general public and to raise funds for medical and scientific research. Even the Eiffel Tower has been illuminated in pink since 2014 to participate and publicize this campaign.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and also the most deadly. It is still 1 in 8 women who risk developing breast cancer. In France, this represents 11,600 deaths each year. Nearly 54,000 new cases are detected each year, 80% of which are over 50 years old. It should be noted that this cancer also affects men (1% of breast cancers). 50% of breast cancers have no identified cause. If the cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be cured in 9 cases out of 10.
Knowledge of one’s breasts and regular monitoring allow the detection of any changes. The Ligue contre le Cancer recommends that women remain vigilant for any changes in the size or shape of a breast, pigmentation of the skin texture of the breast or nipple, the appearance of a lump in a breast, a lymph node in the armpit, a discharge from the nipple, or a recent retraction of the nipple. With this prevention, the disease can be managed early before it has time to spread further.
It is recommended to visit your gynaecologist once a year. And to carry out a mammography and/or an ultrasound. If there are no risk factors, screening will be done every two years from the age of 50. If there are risk factors, screening will be carried out before the age of 50 at a rate defined by the health professional.
Breast cancer screening is covered by social security from age 50 to 74.
The pink colour of the ribbon was originally chosen by the Estée Lauder company. In this day and age, this colour generally evokes the idea of femininity (delicacy, tenderness, softness), but also that of good health (dynamic, energetic, purity, appeasement), as well as happiness and joie de vivre… the opposite of cancer.The pink colour of the ribbon was originally chosen by the Estée Lauder company. In this day and age, this colour generally evokes the idea of femininity (delicacy, tenderness, softness), but also that of good health (dynamic, energetic, purity, appeasement), as well as happiness and joie de vivre… the opposite of cancer.
In order to support research against breast cancer, it is possible to make an online donation via the official donation platform of the association Ruban Rose.
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