Breast Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among the global population with 2.3 million new cases annually. Worldwide, out of 8 every 1 female falls prey of this cancer. As perceived dangerous, causes 70% mortality among women. This article will explore the important facts and figures with the theme of 2024 outlined by the International World Health Organization (WHO). So, stay connected for awareness till the very end.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness is Important?
Breast cancer is one of the deadliest type of Cancers worldwide. According to the data resources shared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are 2.3 million fresh cases of breast cancer reported every twelve months.
These cases are both in men and women, however, in later, the spread and chances of breast cancer are more than their male counterparts.
Another concerning factor is that this cancer is difficult to screen it on early stages. Because, many times, there are no visible symptoms before the disease develops to the advanced stage.
Therefore, it is important to spread a wide and ample awareness regarding the breast cancer to both genders, male and females.
How Awareness Works?
Awareness regarding this deadliest diseases can help a mile increasing the chances of early detection if someone develops the symptoms, even if they are not so visible to go unnoticed. Early detection is the safest and most viable idea for the prevention and elimination of breast cancer.
There is many early warning signs one can detect in their bodies, only if, they are aware of them. For making this awareness spread wide, the month of October is observed as a month of ‘ Awareness’. Furthermore, specifically, the 13th of October is observed as the day of ‘Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.’
Throughout the month, there are multiple events, and seminars conducted by various organisations in Pakistan and other countries also. The effort is commonly associated with the Pink Ribbon! It is the symbolic representation of breast cancer awareness.
What STATS show?
World Health Organization (WHO) initiated the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) back in 2021. The initiative aims the reduction of mortality by breast cancer till 2040 around 2.5% annually. It eventually outlooks to safeguard the 2.5 million lives by this timeline.
The key pillars of this initiative are three and listed below with brief information.
- Promotion of early detection of any symptom
- Timely Diagnosis
- Comprehensive Breast Cancer Management
In addition to these key factors, the celebration of Pinktober- October as a breast cancer awareness month (BCAM) also focuses on the need to provide support to the cancer patients. This ranges from making the life experience easy to an easier and positive navigation through the disease throughout its diagnosis, treatment, and afterwards.
- 670,000 deaths were caused by breast cancer 2022
- Half of the patients of breast cancers are women.
- Breast cancer patients are around the globe.
- Approximately 0.5- 1% of men fall prey to this disease.
2024: What Can Be Done?
In 2024, we can take a few steps to handle the breast cancer in Pakistan in a better way.
Educate Females, Girls and Women
Education of women in terms of formal, in formal, and factual education. Research shows that the level of awareness regarding the breast cancer in women is directly proportionate to the level of education women have.
Adopt an Active Lifestyle
Now, if you are unsure, what an active lifestyle is? active lifestyle is a way of life, which keeps your body moving. It calls for the inclusion of activities like exercise, swimming, walking, running. The goal is to maintain a healthy bodyweight.
Practice Emotional Management
In addition, practice effective emotions management. Stress, anger, anxiety are a part of our life. It is insane and unreal to ask for a life with the elimination of these elements.
Therefore, learn to manage your emotions in an effective way. This includes learning about yourself, your emotional triggers, and the factors you should look at to improvise them in your favour.
Avoid Drinking & Smoking
Avoid drinking and active or passive smoking. Yes! ‘Smoking kills’ is not just a slogan but also a truth.
Try Avoiding Radiation
It is ideal to avoid long exposure to radiation. Now, if you are unaware about, how common radiation is? Then, please know that there are two types of radiation. Natural Radiation and Human Radiation.
Natural Radiation includes the Cosmic Radiation and Terrestrial Radiation. While the man-made sources of radiation are medical procedures like X-Ray, CT scans etc, Nuclear Power Plants, Regular exposure to the radiating building materials like granite, consumer products like smoke detectors and luminous watches, Cell phones, Microwaves though- it’s a non-ionizing radiation!
Regularise Your Self Examination
Do regular personal body examination to become aware about the changes in body.
Bring Behavioural Change to Manage Breast Cancer in Society
Try to bring the behavioural change in our society to become more open, accepting, and normal to talk about the sensitive matters like breast cancer.
Promote Patient Support
Promote patient support at all costs. The patients who are unfortunately facing ailments from breast cancer, please make peace and positivity to their lives.
Patient-centric care should be easily accessible to them. Emotional, psychological, social support from easy navigation, and socioeconomic disparities must be aligned for the betterment of patients and society.
Wrap Up!
Breast Cancer is a sad reality. Though, we can manage it then why not? Remember, no one should face the breast cancer alone. Be aware, be knowledgeable, be open, and be supportive! That’s all we can do for us and for our people.