The 13th edition of the Race Against Breast Cancer, organised by Europa Donna with support from the Ministry of Health, beat all previous records on Saturday with more than 1,800 participants.
Whilst 500 participants registered for the Broschtkriibslaf Race, more than 1,800 people turned up to Neumünster Abbey for the 2015 edition.
"On the occasion of Broschtkriibslaf we are showing our solidarity with all sick women, our support, our encouragement," said Minister of Health, Lydia Mutsch, before giving the starting signal for the Race against Breast Cancer.
Every year, breast cancer affects around 430 women living in Luxembourg, or more than one woman a day. As the earlier the detection of the cancer, the greater the chances are for recovery and the smaller the intensity of treatment, the screening proposed by the Mammography Programme of the Ministry is important. "Spread the word around you, encourage your friends, your mothers, your sisters to participate," declared Minister Mutsch. "This team is attentive to women every day and can answer the questions of those who doubt the appropriateness of participating".
Ten years after the first edition of the 'Parcours de Femmes', Europa Donna has again given a voice to women who wish to talk about their experiences and the care they have received, in the form of a new survey of women with breast cancer, launched in collaboration with TNS.
This new 'Parcours de femmes 2015' survey will help highlight the critical points of support which could be further improved in terms of assessing psychological needs, social support of the organisation of care. The results of the survey will enable Europa Donna to make proposals and contribute to the improvements already made by the National Cancer Plan set up by the Luxembourg Government, by offering another perspective from the point of view of women who have undergone breast cancer.
However, breast cancer is not the only form of cancer affecting the population of the Grand Duchy. Colorectal cancer has also been cited as another priority issue of the Ministry of Health, representing the second type of cancer affecting men and women, with a high mortality rate.
"This is why, together with the government, we will put in place a new colorectal cancer screening programme for people aged between 55 and 74 years old, for which I have just approved the organisational concept and which will start in 2016," explained Lydia Mutsch.
The National Platform of Cancer has also proposed a concept which would support children affected by cancer in Luxembourg to enable them to remain closer to their families.
The fight against cancer is also very focused on prevention through the adoption of the healthiest possible lifestyle behaviours. 30 minutes of physical activity a day already reduces the risk of several cancers may decrease the risk of contracting breast cancer.
The Borschtkriibslaf, assembling patients, health professionals, friends and colleagues, has been established through the combined efforts of the Ministry of Health, Europa Donna, as well as foundations and non-profit organisations such as Fondation cancer, Fondation vaincre le cancer, Fondation Kriibskrank Kanner, Groupe sportif oncologique and Think Pink Lux.
Photo by Ministry of Health (Lydia Mutsch with Race participants)
