Beyond self-examination: a comprehensive approach to breast cancer prevention -

Breast cancer remains a major challenge for women’s health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.4 million women were diagnosed with the disease in 2024 and 694,000 died from it. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) warns that, if current trends continue, the number of cases could reach 3.2 million per year by 2050.

Against this backdrop, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to remember that early detection requires information, healthy habits, medical screenings and timely care.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, one of the most widely promoted messages has been breast self-examination. However, IARC notes that self-examination alone does not replace screening mammography and has not been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality. This does not diminish the importance of self-care: the WHO emphasizes the value of knowing one’s own body and recognizing changes in order to seek medical attention promptly. Self-observation is a complementary practice, while mammography is the screening tool that has been shown to reduce mortality and should be performed according to age and individual risk level.

“Prevention should be understood as a comprehensive process. Knowing your own body is important, but it should not create a false sense of security. Age, family and personal medical history, and other risk factors help determine, together with a healthcare professional, which screenings are appropriate in each case,” explains Dr. Harold Álvarez, medical advisor at Laboratorios Bagó.

The WHO notes that certain modifiable factors can influence breast cancer risk. For this reason, it recommends:

• Move more: between 150 and 300 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.

• Maintain a healthy weight: overweight and obesity are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer, particularly after menopause.

• Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco: both are associated with an increased risk of cancer.

• Maintain a healthy diet: prioritize fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains as part of a balanced diet.

• Keep up with screenings: in Ecuador, the Ministry of Public Health (MSP) recommends mammography every two years for healthy women between the ages of 50 and 69; other cases should be assessed individually.

Companies can also contribute to timely detection by facilitating access to reliable information and creating environments that encourage people to take care of their health. The WHO includes workplaces among the settings where breast cancer awareness activities can be organized as part of efforts to promote early detection.

“Taking care of health also means making reliable information and tools available to support people throughout the process,” says Dr. Harold Álvarez. In line with this approach, Laboratorios Bagó promotes Onconéctate, a digital platform that brings together information about cancer, treatment centers, a directory of specialists and support resources for patients and their families, structured around four pillars: life, community, support and well-being.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month can therefore be much more than an annual reminder. It is an opportunity to move beyond the message of “check yourself” and toward a culture of care based on information and evidence: understanding risk factors, recognizing changes, maintaining healthy habits, undergoing the appropriate screenings and seeking timely medical attention.

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection does not depend on a single action, but on making prevention a sustained practice throughout the year.