Antwerp ( Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On January 20, 2025, the Antwerp Hospital aan de Stroom (ZAS) is taking proactive steps in promoting breast cancer awareness by hosting a mammogram quiz as part of ‘Pink Monday.’ This campaign invites patients and visitors to proceed with an electronic survey developed by Pink Ribbon, a non-governmental organisation, to check their level of awareness regarding breast health and the importance of early screenings.
On ‘Pink Monday,’ Antwerp‘s ZAS hospital promotes breast cancer awareness through a mammogram quiz, encouraging timely screenings for all, including men. People support wearing custom pink clothes to encourage the discussion of breast health among employees.
“Having a screening done on time can save your life,”
Emphasises ZAS, aiming to encourage discussions about breast cancer in workplaces and communities.
Apart from the quiz, many ZAS employees wore pink clothes, and this lively environment created awareness of the disease. To participate in the mammogram quiz is very simple; display areas are present at the entrance of both ZAS Augustinus and ZAS Palfijn.
“That is a quiz in which we look at how well-informed people are about developing breast cancer and breast cancer screenings,”
Explains An van As, nurse consultant oncology at ZAS.
Hence, the quiz is an assessment tool of knowledge instead of a risk assessment of individual clients, but it constantly brings home the fact that being screened for the disease is not a death sentence.
The program is aimed not only at women, although many parts of it are directed at men as well. Despite the fact that breast cancer is rare among men, it does exist.
“Breast cancer is less common in men, but it does occur. If men notice changes in their breasts, it is important that they also go to the doctor,”
An says.
This inclusive approach supports a developing notion that breast cancer can affect all genders. The focus on education and awareness is in line with similar work observed across the entirety of Belgium due to research projects being funded and supported by Pink Ribbon and Think Pink alike.
Importance of breast cancer awareness initiatives
Breast cancer still ranks among the most prevalent cancers in women worldwide; current trends and estimates reveal that each woman has approximately a 12% chance of developing it over her lifetime. In general, the incidence rate for Belgium is particularly elevated, putting a lot of organisations on the lookout for funds needed for caravans and screenings. Pink Ribbon has been pivotal in transforming ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Pink Monday,’ creating a platform for discussion around breast cancer and emphasising the importance of regular screenings.
It is important not to overlook the need to get to screening; these are very important because they can identify early stages of breast cancer known to respond well to treatment.
Van As shares her personal experience:
“I myself had breast cancer almost 10 years ago, and in my case, it was also a coincidence. Screening will not help prevent breast cancer, but a screening is important if you have an early form of breast cancer in order to be able to receive good treatment.”
Her testimony underscores the nature of awareness campaigns like ‘Pink Monday,’ which not only educate but also support those affected by the disease.
