15 October Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and in our country, with its incidence steadily increasing. Globally, 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, while in Turkey this figure reaches 25,000 women per year. Although breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are free of charge in our country, the early-stage breast cancer rate does not exceed 35%! Since 1985, October has been celebrated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide, with 15 October designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The aim is to raise awareness of breast cancer and collect donations for public-benefit patient advocacy associations and foundations like MEMEDER. In 1991, the Susan Kommen Foundation distributed 'Pink Ribbons' at an awareness walk, and in 1993 the 'Pink Ribbon' was established as the symbol of breast cancer. Founded in 2007 and operating as a public-benefit association, the Breast Health Association (MEMEDER) has organized numerous events each October since its establishment to contribute to early diagnosis and increased awareness of breast cancer. Through scientific research, MEMEDER has lowered the mammographic screening age in Turkey from 50 to 40, demonstrated that mammographic screening is cost-effective and extends life expectancy by 7 years, and pioneered the expansion of mobile screening systems throughout Turkey, having launched such a system in Muş.