By Giovanna Jardim

One in every ten women who live to be 80 will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the coming years. That was the sentence I heard from my oncologist when I received my own diagnosis, ten years ago.

Today, we often hear about social responsibility, diversity and inclusion, and the growing presence of women in leadership positions across all sectors of society. Yet, we must give equal attention to women’s physical and mental health—both are essential for real inclusion and empowerment.

Breast cancer has multifactorial causes—genetics, diet, and lifestyle among them. Regarding lifestyle, I often hear women describe the challenge of balancing triple roles: managing their homes, careers, and families, all while facing anxiety and the fear of illness and aging.

This is not to underestimate the daily struggles men face—in fact, they are among the groups most affected by suicide—and it is worth remembering that men can also be diagnosed with breast cancer, even though cases are far less frequent. When I think of a support network for women’s health, I think of people who understand the importance of prevention and the right to proper treatment.

Doctors, governments, companies, leaders, managers, families, and friends—everyone should be involved.
October, globally known as Pink October, is an excellent opportunity for both public and private sectors to strengthen awareness campaigns promoting early diagnosis and timely treatment.

I like to refer to what we might call peer pressure for good—the idea that when people around us take preventive action, it encourages us to do the same. Collective and individual initiatives can help ensure that more women remember to schedule mammograms, ultrasounds, and other vital exams.

Public health systems also play a crucial role. In Brazil, for instance, thousands of women are treated and cured every day through the SUS (Unified Health System). When detected early, breast cancer can have over 70 percent full recovery rates.

Who does not have a friend who says she has not had her exams done since the pandemic because she has been “too busy”? Or a colleague who, after being diagnosed, confides in you about her fear of balancing treatment with her professional life, motherhood, and aging parents—and of losing the leadership position she fought so hard to earn?

Or perhaps a wife, girlfriend, coworker, or employee who has noticed a lump or other symptoms but delays seeing a doctor out of fear of the result?

This article is dedicated to all of them.

Finally, I want to make a heartfelt appeal: may every leader—in private companies or public institutions—create and support effective awareness initiatives about the importance of early detection. Encourage your female employees to visit their doctors this month.

This is not about invading privacy—it is about care and empathy.

And to each reader, I ask: reach out to at least two women in your circle—at home, in your family, at work, or in your community—and encourage them to take preventive action.

Having gone through a long but successful treatment myself, I often meet women who are in the middle of their own journey, struggling with fatigue, fear, and the side effects of treatment. I look them in the eyes and repeat what became my own mantra:

“Healing is possible. You will win; I did.

Giovanna Jardim, 50, is a Brazilian Public Relations professional and a breast cancer survivor (triple-negative type)