Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2011 -- Global
Breast cancer is currently the top cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and the developing world. The majority of breast cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where most of the women are diagnosed in late stages due mainly to lack of awareness and barriers to access to health services. Maria's story (see below) illustrates this dramatic situation common to thousands of women in resource constrained settings.
WHO promotes the development of effective breast cancer prevention and control, particularly in low- and middle-income countries in the context of national cancer control programmes.
WHO acknowledges the efforts of numerous national and international organizations that every October organize The Breast Cancer Awareness Month to increase attention and support to this highly preventable and curable disease.