Pink October.

Breast cancer.

October 19 is the day commemorating the World Day to Combat Breast Cancer. This date aims to raise awareness with a key message: the importance of early detection in order to improve the prognosis and survival of cases of breast cancer, which remains the cornerstone of the fight against this disease.

But not only that day, but the month also known as the international month against fighting breast cancer, throughout this month attempting to sensitize women and men (because men can also get breast cancer) to relevant studies are conducted, also in this month a pink ribbon is used.

No doubt cancer is a disease that causes more fear, but you have to know how to detect the symptoms and act in time to save us from this evil.

Breast cancer is the most common in women and is a disease that causes more death in women in both developed and developing countries. Most deaths from breast cancer occur in low- and middle-income countries, where most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, especially for low awareness and barriers to access to services of health.

In the last two decades the mortality from breast cancer increased in developing countries, according to a WHO report. Currently, 31% of cases of breast cancer in the world are in these countries.

Why the pink ribbon?

Alexandra Penney, who was the editor in chief of the magazine "Self" and Evelyn Lauder, who was vice president of Estee Lauder, came up with the idea of creating a ribbon to promote early detection and involve stores New York They are selling Estee Lauder cosmetics for distribution. Evelyn also promised to promote the distribution of ribbons across the United States, so far is the color of the ribbon had not decided.

Charlotte Hayley, who was the survivor of breast cancer had ribbons peach color. She sold them with a card saying "The annual budget of the National Cancer Institute is 1.8 billion dollars and only 5% of this amount is for the prevention of cancer. Help us that our legislators and the country aware of this, using this link ". Her message spread quickly, this made Penney and Lauder were interested in her concept and propose to Hayley join her and use her ribbon on the campaign being organized, but she refused saying they were too commercial.

After discussing options between Lauder, Hayley and the lawyers, they came to the decision of a ribbon with a new color. The new color for the ribbon, was the pink, always identified with women, femininity and from that moment the pink ribbon became the international symbol of awareness for breast cancer arrest.

Support.

Currently there are many companies that join this day, through talks, consultations, physical activity runs and walks.

Tips to prevent and detect breast cancer.

Breast cancer can not be prevented, but can reduce the risk of getting it if we consider the following tips.

• Maintain a healthy diet. 
• Moderate alcohol intake and eliminate the consumption of tobacco. 
• Regular exercise to keep the body active and help clean the arteries and oxygenate the body. 
• Control body weight routinely, mainly taking into account the recommendations of diet and exercise. 
• Perform breast self-exam once a month, 8 days after the menstrual period. When women no longer have time, they may choose one day in the month to do it regularly.
•  Visit the doctor at least once a year for a general control.
• Ask the medical diagnostic examinations annually: breast ultrasound if the patient is younger than 30 years Mammogram if the patient is older than 30 years.

Women should know that, if detected early, breast cancer is cured in 98% of cases.