The Pink Night illuminated Cartagena and Bolívar in the fight against breast cancer
Cartagena de Indias, October 18, 2024. The historic Palace of the Proclamation in Cartagena's Historic Center was illuminated in pink to welcome hundreds of residents of Cartagena and Bolívar to the "Pink Night," an event organized by the Bolívar Governor's Office and the Serena del Mar Hospital. This celebration honored the lives, courage, and strength of women who have faced breast cancer, highlighting their struggle as an example of resilience and overcoming adversity.
The event, presided over by the Governor of Bolívar, Yamil Arana Padauí, and the First Lady, Angélica Salas, reaffirmed the departmental government's commitment to the health and well-being of women in Bolívar. In a symbolic act, the Governor turned on the pink lights that will illuminate the façade of the Palace of the Proclamation for several days, reminding the community of the importance of early detection and prevention of breast cancer.
Expert Panel and Personal Testimonies
The day included an informative panel led by the Secretary of Women and Social Development, Nataly Bustillo, along with radiation oncologist Angelina Álvarez, coordinator of the Cancer Institute at Serena del Mar Hospital. In this space, patients shared moving testimonies about their experience in the fight against breast cancer, highlighting the importance of emotional and medical support.
One of the most special moments was the ‘Pink Runway,’ in which 15 women cancer survivors proudly walked the runway, wearing accessories from Marca Bolívar, demonstrating that the disease does not define their strength or their femininity.
Alarming Figures
Breast cancer remains the most common form of cancer in women worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, 2.3 million new cases were reported in women in 2022, with an alarming mortality rate of 660,000 deaths annually. This represents 17 deaths per 100,000 women.
In Colombia, the situation is equally concerning: 17,018 new cases were registered in the last year, with 4,752 deaths. These figures confirm breast cancer as the most frequent and deadly cancer among Colombian women.
Prevention: The Key to Saving Lives
Dr. Angelina Álvarez emphasized the importance of early detection, stressing that when breast cancer is diagnosed early, it has a cure rate of nearly 98%. “It is essential that women begin performing monthly self-exams at age 20, and complement this with regular mammograms starting at age 50, or earlier if they have a family history,” stated the specialist.
How to perform a breast self-exam:
Visual inspection: In front of a mirror, carefully observe both breasts with your hands on your hips and then raised. Pay attention to any irregularities such as lumps, changes in skin texture, or redness.
Manual palpation: Using the middle fingers of your opposite hand, make circular motions over each breast, from the outer edge toward the center. Don't forget to check the armpit area.
Nipple compression: Gently squeeze the nipple to check for abnormal discharge, such as blood or clear fluid.
A message of hope and action: The ‘Pink Night’ concluded with a clear message: early detection saves lives. The pink lighting of the Palace of Proclamation is just one visible reminder of a fight that needs everyone's participation: the battle against breast cancer continues.
