Congress is lit up in pink as part of a campaign against breast cancer.
Starting this Wednesday (October 1st), the National Congress will once again be illuminated in pink, as part of a worldwide movement to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The so-called Pink October began in the 1990s in the United States and arrived in Brazil in 2008; "In Brazil and worldwide, the total number of women we will lose this year is approximately 1 million," estimates the president of the Neo Mama Institute for the Prevention and Combat of Breast Cancer, Gilze Francisco.
Ana Raquel Macedo, from Agência Câmara - Starting today, the National Congress is once again illuminated in pink, as part of a worldwide movement to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. The so-called Pink October began in the 1990s in the United States and arrived in Brazil in 2008, through an initiative of the Brazilian Federation of Philanthropic Institutions Supporting Breast Health (Femama).
Gilze Francisco, president of the Neo Mama Institute for the Prevention and Combat of Breast Cancer, was one of those involved in organizing Pink October in Brazil. She emphasizes that the pink lighting on public buildings draws attention to the problem, but reinforces that, in addition to the light, effective awareness campaigns are necessary.
"Every 24 seconds in the world, a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. Every 68 seconds in the world, a woman dies as a result of breast cancer. These are the highest numbers we have in oncology. In Brazil and worldwide, the total number of women we will lose this year is approximately 1 million," estimates Gilze.
“We always start with small, playful actions, like ribbons, pieces of clothing, lighting. But within each of us there must be a very strong warning sign,” says the president of Neo Mama, recalling the breast cancer awareness campaigns that sell pink t-shirts and ribbons.
Self-examination and mammography
Salete Rios, a mastologist from the Medical Department of the Chamber of Deputies, reinforces the importance of breast self-examination for the early detection of cancer. "Some say they are against self-examination. I am in favor. In a continental country like ours, which doesn't have mammography available for all Brazilian women, it's ideal that they examine themselves, that they know their bodies. Preferably, during their menstrual period. For those who are post-menopausal, choose a day of the month and perform the self-examination," she suggests.
Salete Rios also recommends mammograms. "If a woman has no family history of breast cancer and no genetic mutation, she can start having mammograms at age 40 and have them every two years if she doesn't have any major changes. A woman who has many family members or who has a significant genetic alteration needs to start much earlier."
Special activities
In addition to the special lighting, several activities are planned at the Congress as part of Pink October, such as the distribution of informational material and the scheduling of appointments and exams for female employees at the Chamber's Medical Department.
On October 16th, the "Women's Thursdays" project in the Senate will discuss breast cancer in plenary room 2, Nilo Coelho wing, starting at 10 am.
On October 19th, at 9 AM, the Union of Legislative Branch Employees (Sindilegis) is promoting the 2014 Walk and Run Against Breast Cancer, starting at Eixão Norte do Lazer. Learn more about the event.
The activities of Pink October are an initiative of the Women's Secretariat of the Chamber of Deputies, in partnership with the Women's Prosecutor's Office of the Federal Senate. In Brasília, the movement also has the participation of the federal and district governments. Learn more about the campaign.