October can be associated with different things: for some it's pumpkin latte month, for others it's a time for Halloween preparations. Another way to celebrate the 10th month of the year is to wear a pink ribbon pinned to your clothes. This ribbon symbolises the so-called Pink October, which is a common name for the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This disease, although insidious, if diagnosed at the right time, can be cured.

More and more female educators are promoting breast self-examinations on their channels. Aga Szuścik, a gynaecological educator, broadcasts her self-exams every last day of the month at 8 p.m. During the live show, Aga talks about the process and also demonstrates how to effectively examine your own body. It only takes a few moments to catch worrying changes: discharge, lumps or nodules. Any such symptom should be alarming.

The examination should be carried out a few days after your period. All you need is a mirror, a moment's peace and a notebook or mobile device in which you can note down the findings. To be accurate and adequate, the examination should be carried out on bare skin. Any abnormal change: discolouration, change in the shape or size of the breasts, or nipple discharge is a signal to make an appointment with a doctor.

It is estimated that the detection rate of breast cancer at an early stage in Poland is around 41%. In Western European countries, these figures are much higher: they exceed 50%. This means that breast cancer in Poland is still being detected too late. According to data collected by the National Cancer Registry, breast cancer will account for 37% of all cancer cases in women in 2020. In Poland, more than 22 000 women hear the diagnosis of "malignant breast cancer" every year. Between 5% and 10% of women only find out about breast cancer when it is already at an advanced stage. After lung cancer, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

It is estimated that there has been an increasing trend in breast cancer mortality for the past 13 years. Every day, 15 women die of breast cancer. The problem is not only late detection, but also prolonged diagnosis. According to data collected by WHO for the "Global Breast Cancer Initiative Implementation Framework", the diagnostic process for breast cancer should take a maximum of 60 days. In Poland, however, the process is longer. Just over 60 per cent of DiLO cards (fast-track cancer pathway) are completed within the target time.

The examination that detects breast cancer is called mammography. In Poland, it is performed free of charge for women aged between 50 and 69. In the case of a high individual risk, such as breast cancer in the family, younger women can also be screened. An increasing number of organisations are choosing to purchase buses equipped with mammography equipment, which then visit various places in Poland - from big cities to small towns or villages where no gynaecologist is present.

All this is done to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and to raise awareness of a disease that, if diagnosed at an early stage, can go into remission. In the case of cancer, it is not possible to recover completely. Even people whose cancer cells have disappeared must undergo regular examinations to check whether the cancer has returned.