A pink ribbon for life
In 1982, a dying woman named Susan Komen was listening to her sister’s promise that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. That promise became the leading generator of the biggest global breast cancer movement in history.
When the Vice President of the Estée Lauder Companies decided to establish The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993, she adopted the pink ribbon as a symbol for the breast cancer movement, and the month of October was agreed to be a global month of awareness for that preventable disease.
Breast cancer awareness month is a time to raise awareness about the importance of early detection for all women. The goal of the global movement is to spread knowledge of this disease at schools, workplaces, and nearly all community-gathering centers.
Statistics in Saudi Arabia indicate that there are more than 8,000 cases of breast cancer diagnosed each year. The majority of these cases can be treated successfully if detected in early stages. But sadly the information point out that more than 60 percent of the cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage which reduces the possibility of treatment.
What creates a challenge for the breast cancer awareness campaign is the sensitivity of the subject to the local culture. So this year many Saudi celebrities decided to share their voice in bringing awareness to this deadly disease. Doctors, TV celebrities, and even local Saudi comedians were appearing on videos and posters to encourage early detection for women.
Many cancer clinics established early detection centers in local malls offering free checkups and immediate results for women. They even created quick training programs to teach young girls how to perform personal diagnosis at the privacy of their homes.
The breast cancer awareness month is a powerful way to advance the Susan Komen promise to save lives and end breast cancer by empowering people, ensuring quality of care, and energizing science to find the cures.
You too can join this powerful movement to motivate and empower the community. You can share as much information for breast health education. Join the world to help raise awareness.
A tweet: “I have to admit, like so many women, I always knew there was a chance. But like so many women, I never thought it would be me. I never thought I’d hear those devastating words: You have breast cancer.” — Debbie Wasserman Schultz
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