Pink October: bedpan, your health can't be left for later
Between taking care of the family, working and solving everyone's commitments, many women postpone their own health. In this Pink October, Comadre invites you to transform awareness into care: know your body, seek care and follow your exams.
Comadre, how many times have you organized everything for other people and left that appointment for later? The routine tightens, another appointment arises and, when we realize, taking care of our health is at the bottom of the list.
Pink October puts this issue in evidence. The campaign draws attention to breast cancer, the importance of recognizing suspicious changes and the need to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment. The pink ribbon helps to remember, but it is the care throughout the year that needs to accompany this message.
According to the National Cancer Institute, Brazil should register 78,610 new cases of breast cancer per year in the triennium from 2026 to 2028. It is an estimate that reinforces the importance of information and health services prepared to serve those who need it. INCA
Knowing the body helps to perceive changes
Breast cancer can present different signs. The lump is the best known, but attention should also reach changes in the skin, nipple and armpit region.
Among the signs that deserve evaluation are:
Lump in the breast or armpit, especially when persistent.
Breast skin that is retracted, reddened or looks similar to orange peel.
Recent change in nipple shape or position.
Spontaneous outflow of fluid from one of the nipples.
Unusual increase or change in breast shape.
These changes do not necessarily mean cancer. They need to be evaluated by a health professional. You also don't have to wait to feel pain to seek care. INCA
Knowing one's own breasts, observing changes in daily life, is a useful attitude. This, however, does not replace the indicated tests nor does it allow you to rule out the disease on your own. The INCA differentiates attention to the body from self-examination performed as a screening method. inca.gov.br
Mammography: who should do it?
Here there is an important difference, comadre: screening is the test done in people without symptoms; diagnostic investigation is the evaluation of a suspicious abnormality. They are different situations and may require different conducts. INCA
In the Ministry of Health's current guidance for the SUS, screening mammography is recommended every two years for women aged 50 to 74 years. Women aged 40 to 49 can also access the exam on demand, after talking to the health professional about benefits, possible risks, and individual circumstances. The expansion was announced in September 2025. INCA
Those who present suspicious signs should seek evaluation at any age, without waiting to reach the screening range or waiting for the next campaign. People at high risk may need specific follow-up, defined by the health team. Breast cancer
To start this care through the SUS, look for your Basic Health Unit. Take the previous results you have and tell them about perceived changes and cases of cancer in the family. Taking the exam is a step: returning to evaluate the result and follow the referrals is also part of the care.
Healthy habits help, but do not guarantee total
protection Practicing physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, taking care of body weight and avoiding alcoholic beverages are measures that contribute to reducing the risk of breast cancer. These are attitudes that can be built within the possibilities of each person. INCA
Even so, there is no single cause for the disease. There are factors that we cannot modify, such as aging and certain hereditary characteristics. Therefore, receiving a diagnosis should not be a reason for guilt: a person can get sick even if they have healthy habits. INCA
Welcoming is also part of this conversation
When someone receives a diagnosis, each person reacts in a different way. Some want to talk; others need silence, privacy, or help organizing their routine.
A caring attitude is to ask: "How can I help you?" The answer can be company for an appointment, support with a meal, or simply someone willing to listen.
Respect also means not disclosing exams, photographs, or information about treatment without authorization. And beware of miraculous recipes and promises of cure: support must accompany the treatment guided by the responsible team.
A commitment that continues after October
Comadre, reserve a space in your schedule for yourself. Check if there are pending appointments, seek test results, and seek care when you notice any changes.
Pink October can be the beginning of this conversation. Care needs to follow when the month ends — with information, follow-up, and respect for each person.
Informative content. The indication of exams and treatments depends on individual evaluation by health professionals.