The main objective of the International Day to Fight Breast Cancer is to sensitize women and men about self-care, calling for access to comprehensive health through controls, diagnoses and timely and effective treatments to prevent and diagnose breast cancer early. Through the teaching-service agreement, the team of practitioners of the Psychology program at the María Cano University Foundation: Yensy Urrea, Mariana Herrera, Yarleidy Mena, Geraldine Corredor and the advisory teacher of Psychology Claudia Marcela Osorio Echavarria and ESE Metrosalud; carried out a campaign in which the population served by Metrosalud was articulated, especially women, where several activities were carried out, including female empowerment, self-care, mental health promotion, self-makeup, early detection through self-examination, management of emotions in relation to diagnosis among other topics, which allowed sharing experiences and learning together.

This work had an important component of articulation with organizations that are committed to the well-being and care of society, such as Roche, the Mayor’s Office of Medellín through the Secretariat for Women, the Center for Gender Equity and the INDER; also with the presence and work of Avon, International Rescue Committee, Unibán through its Turbana Chips brand.

This issue has a great impact on society because it is the leading cause of death for women worldwide, representing 16% of the cases treated of the types of cancers that can occur in the female population. One in eight women is prone to suffer from this disease, so timely diagnosis, prevention campaigns and educational issues related to the subject are essential, requiring an articulation of all actors in the health sector.

In the statistics of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the main signs of breast cancer are: presence of masses or lumps in the breasts or in the armpits, hardening or swelling of part of the breasts, redness or peeling of the nipple or the breasts, sagging of the nipple or changes in its position, discharge of discharge from the nipple, in periods other than breastfeeding, any change in the size or shape of the breasts, pain in any part of the breasts or armpits and swelling underneath of the armpit or around the collarbone. In addition, it is suggested that women over 20 years of age have a clinical breast examination at least every three years and that from the age of 40, increase the frequency of the examination once a year, with the help and guidance from a specialized health professional. In the case of women, over 50 years of age, a specialized examination should be performed every two years to avoid serious health consequences.

According to the figures generated by the World Health Organization – WHO – this type of cancer presented a total of 15,509 new cases in the last year in Colombia, with a number of 4,411 deaths; followed by cancer diagnoses such as prostate, colon, stomach, lung, thyroid, and uterus.

The María Cano University Foundation is committed to the health of all Colombians.

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