The World Health Organization has declared that October is World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aiming to increase timely detection and treatment of this disease that kills more than 500,000 women worldwide every year, including 100,000 women in the Americas.
Although October is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of testing and finding a cure for breast cancer, the disease doesn’t stop being an issue on November 1st, impacting the lives of more than 462,000 women throughout the Americas. It’s critical to raise awareness of the importance of timely detection and treatment every day.
As part of our commitment to fighting breast cancer 365 days a year, we launched Tod@s por Ellas in 2020, a program focused on the timely detection of breast cancer, support, and counseling. The program includes multiple resources and tools:
- Educational Chatbot: The online chatbot offers women access to information about the disease and helps them identify risk factors.
- Radio Outreach: In partnership with Radio Educación, we created a radio program aimed at women with low literacy levels to promote empowerment and autonomy and share the importance of self-exams and mammograms.
- Free Mammograms: Thanks to strategic partnerships, Mexican women over 40 can access free mammograms.
- Support and Counseling Program: This program provides emotional support and clinical guidance to women undergoing treatment. Women receive personalized support and are invited to participate in support groups.
- Oncology Guide: Part of our efforts to facilitate access to timely breast cancer treatment, this guide provides valuable information on public health institutions, requirements, and recommendations that women can follow to access low-cost, high-quality treatment.
- Boosting Women’s Income-Generating Capabilities: We connect the Tod@s por Ellas program participants with Emprende Pro Mujer, our online skilling platform.
Since December 2022, the Tod@s por Ellas program has enrolled 944 women in the support and counseling program, provided over 6,000 free mammograms, and identified 25 breast cancer cases. Additionally, in 2022, 3 field campaigns were implemented to promote timely diagnosis, and 56 support sessions were held for patients and their families.
These projects are possible thanks to the support of strategic partners committed to tirelessly fighting against the disease and understanding that every moment is an opportunity to educate, inspire, and collaborate.
In Argentina, we continue to partner with Mamotest and the Avon Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. Thanks to this partnership, we will continue to provide support and counseling to Argentine women during their diagnosis and treatment processes. We also offer free and low-cost mammograms to women in Chaco, Corrientes, and Jujuy.
On August 10, we hosted an outreach event in the province of Jujuy. Women were invited to participate in a series of talks and activities to raise awareness of breast cancer and its symptoms while reducing the stigma that often surrounds the disease.
Fear and stigma are some of the barriers that limit women from accessing early detection services and tests, along with educational, social, and economic barriers. A new study conducted by experts from Pro Mujer and CONICET provides an overview of this issue and the steps that can be taken to increase timely screening and diagnoses and decrease breast cancer deaths.
Technology and treatments are advancing rapidly, and we must work together to continue to educate and spread the word about the importance of early detection and treatment. Prevention and awareness are the most powerful tools to create a future where breast cancer is detected early and treatment is accessible and successful.
