October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is traditionally dedicated to women’s health worldwide and the fight against breast cancer. In that spirit, IAN has devoted this month to raising awareness and reminding women of the importance of caring for their physical, mental, and emotional health through various activities.

As part of the project “Community Support for Better Integration,” supported by UNHCR, two workshops were conducted in Belgrade and Vranje, with the participation of refugees and asylum seekers from Ukraine, Africa, and Cuba.

The first workshop on breast cancer prevention was led by IAN volunteers and involved participants from Africa and Cuba. Through discussions on this vital topic, participants gained knowledge about the importance of self-care and their mental and physical health. They also learned about breast cancer prevention methods while practicing and learning new Serbian words and phrases. During the workshop, pink ribbons, a symbol of the fight against breast cancer, were created and later shared with women from Ukraine residing in the Asylum Center in Vranje, where the second workshop was held.

In collaboration with the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations (KIRS), an interactive workshop titled “Breast Cancer Awareness – Facts and Prevention” took place at the Asylum Center in Vranje. The workshop aimed to motivate women to take better care of their health, raise awareness, and remind them of the importance of physical and mental well-being. Refugees from Ukraine residing in this center showed a keen interest in the topic and actively participated in the discussion.

The workshop concluded with two important messages:

1. You are not alone – a reminder that one in eight women worldwide is diagnosed with breast cancer, emphasizing the need to expand the network of support among women, stick together, raise awareness, and encourage each other to care for their health and prevent the disease.
2. Don’t be late – when detected early, breast cancer is curable in 90% of cases, emphasizing the importance of prevention.

Prevention measures include maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in physical activity, conducting regular self-examinations, scheduling regular gynecological check-ups, breast ultrasounds, and mammography.