Early detection program helps diagnose 1.2k breast cancers
Survival rate among Catalan women improves, shows data revealed for World Breast Cancer Month
Catalonia’s program for the early detection of breast cancer helped diagnose more than 1,200 tumors last year, many of which were still at an early stage.
Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control, says the World Health Organization.
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women, and also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among female patients.
In Catalonia, 4,516 women were diagnosed with breast cancer last year. The survival rate is improving steadily and currently stands at 86.5%—similar to the highest rates in European countries.
Yet, some 22.6% of breast cancers were diagnosed in women over 74. Estimates predict an increase in the number of breast cancer cases in 2025, due to the link with the aging of the population.
In 2017, the early detection program reached out to more than 420,000 women, 66% of whom took part in it.
Barcelona wears it pink
One of the central events of Breast Cancer Month is the Wear It Pink initiative, aimed at raising funds for cancer research and raising public awareness.
Barcelona will also join this worldwide event, and some of the city's most iconic sights will be illuminated with pink lights as the sun goes down on Friday.
Buildings taking part in the initiative include the Sagrada Família, the Barcelona city hall, located in Sant Jaume square, as well as the Magic Fountain on Montjuïc mountain.