Münster shines in pink: raising awareness for early breast cancer detection!

Münster shines in pink: raising awareness for early breast cancer detection!

In October, the town hall in Münster lights up in a bright pink - a symbol of the fight against breast cancer. The Pink Ribbon was recently unveiled at this location. Mayor Markus Lewe and Professor Walter Heindel, head of the Mammography Reference Center at the University Hospital of Münster, presented the symbolic sign, which is intended to contribute to raising awareness about the early detection of breast cancer. The campaign is in keeping with the global breast cancer campaign month, which encourages women to find out about preventive services and have regular check-ups. According to ms-aktuell.de, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Germany; Around one in eight women will be confronted with this diagnosis in the course of their life.

Even though the importance of early detection is well known, only around 50% of women between the ages of 50 and 75 take part in the free mammography screening that is offered every two years. This is all the more unfortunate since studies show that screening can reduce mortality among participants by up to 30%. The screening program, which has been carried out in North Rhine-Westphalia since 2005, also includes the Münster Mammography Reference Center, which monitors the quality of the images and ensures that high medical standards are maintained.

This is how screening works

Another step in education is expanding participation in mammography screening. From July 1, 2024, women up to the age of 75 will have the opportunity to have themselves examined; previously the age limit was 69. This change means that women between the ages of 70 and 75 can now actively arrange an appointment. The last examination appointment must be at least 22 months ago in order to be able to make a new appointment, as referenzzentrum-ms.de reports.

The costs of the screening are covered by the health insurance companies as a standard benefit, which means that a financial hurdle remains out of the way for women. A signpost also shows where the nearest screening units can be found in North Rhine-Westphalia. There are currently 95 such units at around 400 locations, with over 1.4 million women taking part in each screening round in North Rhine-Westphalia.

An event for the future

The Münster Mammography Reference Center is one of five reference centers in Germany and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week. To mark this anniversary, a scientific symposium will take place on October 29th in the auditorium of Münster Castle. Professor Walter Heindel and his team work tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of early detection. “Early detection can save lives,” is Heindel’s urgent message.

In addition to regular examinations, the option of intensive breast cancer early detection is offered, especially for women with gene changes that promote breast cancer. These special programs are carried out in specialized centers and are under the supervision of professionals who advise directly on site. The centers also provide information about how costs will be covered, which is an important decision-making aid for many women.

Overall, the Pink Ribbon is all about raising awareness and motivation. The pink ribbon is not just a symbol, but a movement - when women support and inform each other, a lot is achieved. You too can take this path and take your health into your own hands!