Pink ribbons are sprouting everywhere, the Eiffel Tower has changed color, and prevention messages are posted on every street corner... The month of October has a very special meaning. For almost 30 years in France, a major awareness-raising and prevention campaign has been underway to combat breast cancer. What's it called? Pink October.
The aim of this national mobilization (which also takes place in countries such as Brazil, Japan, Canada, the USA, Argentina, Austria, Korea, etc.) is to raise funds for medical research into cancer, but also to make women more aware of the disease: breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women, with some 59,000 new cases every year. Although women are the most affected, men can also be affected by this disease.
So it's important not only to fight the disease, but also to support those affected and their families. To this end, charities, caregivers, researchers and institutions are joining forces to draw the general public's attention to this disease.
Breast cancer causes more than 12,000 deaths a year (in mainland France, according to 2018 figures from Santé publique France). However, this disease is also very well managed: when cancer is discovered early, as part of the screening operations carried out throughout the year in France, almost 90% of patients are declared cured after 5 years. Women aged between 50 and 74 benefit from free screening campaigns, so it's important to take advantage of them.
This major prevention campaign saves lives. Launched in France in 1994, Pink October runs from October 1 to 31 each year.
The campaign is symbolized by a pink ribbon, a sign used all over the world. Originating in the United States, the ribbon represents women's fight against breast cancer. It was chosen as a sign of support and expression, and its color embodies " feminine, soft, joyful and evocative of good health, everything that cancer is not ", according to the Breast Cancer Action association .
Pink October 2023: the program of actions in Paris to raise awareness of breast cancer
Paris takes on the colors of Pink October! All month long, from October 1 to 31, 2023, operations are taking place to raise awareness of breast cancer. Conferences, sporting events and screening, discover a selection of what awaits you this October 2023 in Paris! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
From October 1st, 2023 to October 31th, 2023
Official website
www.cancerdusein.org
Pink October 2023: the program of actions in Paris to raise awareness of breast cancer
