Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Month

October 12, 2021

October is Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Month.

More than 355,000 women were newly diagnosed with breast cancer, and nearly 92,000 women died from the disease across the EU-27 in 2020.

One in eight women is estimated to be at risk of developing this form of cancer during their lifetime. However, breast cancer can be cured in 90% of cases when detected at an early stage! Regular checks are recommended for all women, either through self-examination or, in some countries, yearly by a healthcare professional. As part of the organized breast cancer screening program recommended at the European level, women aged 50 to 69 are invited to undergo a mammogram and a clinical breast exam by a licensed radiologist every two years. Additional monitoring is also proposed to women at higher risk of breast cancer (those with a personal or family medical history of the disease, genetic predispositions, etc.).
Find more information here: https://healthcare-quality.jrc.ec.europa.eu/ecibc/european-breast-cancer-guidelines

Contrary to popular belief, men can also be affected by breast cancer, although it is rare (<1% of all breast cancers occur in males).

Breast Cancer Screening Awareness Month is also an opportunity to raise funds for medical and scientific research. A whole host of fundraising events (walks, races, etc.) are staged across numerous cities and countries, and many companies get involved, including Ann Taylor, Asda, Bumble and Bumble, Cuisinart, Damart, Dorothy Perkins, Erin Condren, Estée Lauder, Felix Gray, Jo Malone, GHD, Kendra Scott, Pilot Pen, Pura Vida, etc.

Sources:
ECIS – European Cancer Information System: https://ecis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/factsheets.php
Institut National du Cancer: https://www.e-cancer.fr/Patients-et-proches/Les-cancers/Cancer-du-sein/Cancer-du-sein-chez-l-homme