EVERY October the world unites in a sea of pink to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a crucial time dedicated to point attention to, increase knowledge of, and spread awareness about the most common cancer among women. And beyond the symbolism, the month serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle many women, and even men, are fighting.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness reports that cancer of the breast is the most common cancer among Jamaican women, and the World Health Organization (WHO), in sharing the latest statistics, said there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022, and 670,000 deaths globally. Females are affected in 99 per cent of breast cancer cases and males in 0.5 to 1 per cent, the WHO said.

Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate; it affects individuals of all ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds. It remains a great burden, having significant impact on a country’s economy and its families — diagnosis means a strain on health-care systems, workforce productivity, and the broader financial well-being of individuals and families.

Efforts to raise awareness and promote early detection can help reduce some of these costs. Awareness and a strong lobby encourage government and the private sector to help efforts to bridge gaps in care and access, ensuring that all individuals have equal access to preventive measures and treatment in a timely manner. In this measure, wearing pink isn’t just about the optics, it’s about understanding the magnitude of the disease and shovelling the data through every public forum possible in order to encourage and promote early detection, self-tests, and preventive action, especially in vulnerable communities.

The number of people affected by breast cancer is staggering, yet preventable outcomes are possible when the cancer is detected early. Over the past few decades, survival rates worldwide have improved dramatically due to better treatments and early detection. A simple mammogram can be life-saving, but many Jamaican women still avoid or delay it due to fear, misinformation, high cost, or lack of access. This is why awareness is so vital, it educates women about the importance of regular screenings, empowers them to take charge of their health, and points them to the cost-effective services available to them.

So as we observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us make it a time for education, awareness, empowerment, and solidarity. Let us address health-care disparities, encourage early detection, and foster a community of support and compassion. Let us also see October as a month of hope — a time to celebrate the resilience of survivors, honour those we’ve lost, and remind ourselves that progress is being made.

And like we have done in Octobers past, this newspaper will highlight stories of survivors, fighters, and families affected by the disease to bring a human element that we hope will help in fostering empathy and collective action.

The fight against breast cancer is far from over, but we can all renew our commitment to that fight knowing that every step we take — no matter how small — brings us closer to a future free from the shadow of breast cancer.