Pink October: IMPA promotes cancer prevention chat

25/10/2024

“By 2025, almost 705,000 new cases of cancer are expected each year in Brazil and breast cancer will account for 75,000 new cases a year. That’s a lot of people,” says oncologist José Márcio de Figueiredo, director of the Cancer Institute Brazil, in the videocast “Breast Cancer: personalized screening and prevention”, broadcast this Friday (25) at IMPA and IMPA Tech.

The initiative marks the Pink October campaign – a season to raise awareness about the prevention and early diagnosis of breast cancer and, more recently, cervical cancer. In the video, the doctor talks about the importance of individual screening for the disease and explains what modifiable and non-modifiable factors are and how they affect the condition.

“Among the modifiable factors we have sedentary lifestyles, smoking and obesity, which contribute to a person having a greater chance of getting the disease. Non-modifiable factors include age and time of exposure to female hormones. For example, if a woman had her first period very early, if she was slow to have children or had a late menopause, it means that the oestrogen cycle was longer, and so she is more likely to develop the disease.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. In the United States, studies show that between 2010 and 2020, the incidence of the disease increased by 0.5% per year. However, mortality fell by 1.3%, which shows the great possibility of a cure. “We need to look at clinical, genetic and environmental factors and, with this, tailor treatments and prevention,” said Figueiredo.

Breast cancer is more common in women aged 50 and over and after the menopause. Although it is related to ageing, studies carried out in Brazil show that the incidence of the disease also affects women under 50 and 40 more intensely when compared to data from other countries.

For women without a high risk of developing breast cancer, the recommendation is to have a mammogram from the age of 40, combined with a medical examination and self-examination. “It’s very important to talk about prevention and overcome fear.”

IMPA and IMPA Tech employees who followed the broadcast of the videocast on Friday also had a chat with the oncologist, who answered the public’s main questions.

Pink October

Pink October is a globally recognized campaign that aims to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer, increasing the chances of effective treatment. According to data from the National Cancer Institute (INCA), breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, but when diagnosed early, the chances of a cure are over 90%.

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