October is breast cancer awareness month — a cancer that is the most frequent among women and raising awareness on it is marked by the pink ribbon symbol, among other things.

Breast cancer impacts 2.1 million women each year, and also causes the greatest number of cancer-related deaths among women. In 2018, it is estimated that 6,27,000 women died from breast cancer — that is approximately 15 per cent of all cancer deaths among women, according to the World Health Organisation. While breast cancer rates are higher among women in more developed regions, rates are increasing in nearly every region globally. To improve breast cancer outcomes and survival, early detection is critical. There are two early detection strategies for breast cancer: early diagnosis and screening. Limited resource settings with weak health systems, where the majority of women are diagnosed in late stages, should prioritise early diagnosis programmes based on awareness of early signs and symptoms and prompt referral to diagnosis and treatment.

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