Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign to increase awareness of the disease. It is celebrated yearly every month of October to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide. Presently, there is no adequate knowledge on its cause, hence early detection of the disease is the foundation to control breast cancer. When Breast Cancer is detected early, with available adequate diagnosis and treatment, there is a good probability that it can be cured. Thus, the objective of the occasion is to raise awareness to everyone through education of its symptoms and treatment.

The City Government of Zamboanga spearheaded the launching of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month together with the celebration of 2019 Zamboanga Hermosa Festival on October 1, 2019. The launching started with a kick-off parade from the Bureau of Fire to Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex. The activity was participated by different schools, business affiliates and different private and government institutions from barangay to national levels. Most of the participants wore pink shirts symbolizing the annual “Pink October Walk” for the campaign. A short program followed featuring different performances and a message from Florence Alcazar, the president of the Mindanao Breast Cancer Support and Empowerment Association.

Alongside with the whole nation in this month-long campaign, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) Regional Office 9 participated in the launching of the prevention crusade against breast cancer. NNC 9 aspires the success of the advocacy along with the other institutions and together, with continuous awareness and concerted efforts of everyone, the goal of preventing, reducing and ending the stigma of the breast cancer will soon be achieved.