Shanghai hosts activities to raise awareness on breast cancer

Throughout the month of October, Shanghai has been a hub of various activities aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer as part of the World Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Medical institutions, media outlets, and pharmaceutical companies have joined forces to urge women to prioritize their health and well-being in the face of a growing burden of the disease.

Experts have noted a concerning rise in the incidence of breast cancer among women in the country in recent years, attributing this trend to factors such as an aging population, industrialization, urbanization, and changes in lifestyle. According to the latest data from the National Cancer Center, the morbidity rate and death rate of breast cancer stood at 51.17 per 100,000 women and 10.86 per 100,000 women, respectively, in 2022.

In a collaborative effort to disseminate knowledge about breast cancer prevention and treatment, Xinhuanet and Novartis organized an event that brought together leading medical experts and patients. The event aimed to enhance public awareness of early detection and treatment while emphasizing the importance of preventing recurrence and promoting better quality of life for breast cancer patients.

Professor Wu Jiong from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center highlighted that over 95 percent of breast cancer patients in China are diagnosed in the early stages, offering a high chance of clinical cure. However, the risk of recurrence remains a significant concern, underscoring the ongoing challenges in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

At the event, Olympic gold medalist Li Qian and Olympic silver medalist Yang Liu led a demonstration of boxing rehabilitation exercises tailored for breast cancer patients to aid in postoperative recovery. Experts emphasized the importance of upper limb exercises for these patients, as such activities can enhance lymphatic fluid circulation and reduce complications such as upper limb edema.

In a separate initiative, an art exhibition focusing on breast cancer prevention and treatment, jointly organized by GE HealthCare and Shanghai United Family Hospital, opened at the hospital's Changning branch. The exhibition features 19 artworks in various forms, created by artists from China, France, and the United Kingdom, sharing the real stories of patients and medical workers in their journey of battling the disease through art.

To further advocate for a healthy lifestyle and raise breast health awareness among women in the workplace, GE HealthCare organized the 2024 Pink Run at Shanghai Gongqing Forest Park. The event, which attracted over 600 participants, including employees from seven companies and their families.