Support for women with breast cancer, the importance of prevention and the common dialogue were the main topics of the ceremonial meeting organised by the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Richard Raši and the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic Kamil Šaško on 6 October. The event in Ružového October brought together patients, representatives of patient organisations, health professionals and public life. In the evening, he culminated in the symbolic light of the Bratislava Castle in pink.
Both hosts wanted to draw attention to women whose breast cancer had entered their lives and to express their appreciation for those who accompanied them during treatment. The meeting provided room for discussion on the experiences and needs of patients as well as on the daily work of healthcare professionals and patient organisations.
As a doctor, I know the weight of the moment when a person hears his diagnosis. At that time, he needs professional help, but he also needs someone to listen to him, explain what will follow, and accompany him on the way to treatment. It is all the more important to talk about the prevention and early detection of the disease, because it is precisely these that can save lives and significantly increase the chance to return to normal life. Breast cancer does not choose by age or region, so this message must be available to every woman. We wanted to give our support to women who are going through this extremely difficult experience, and to thank the health professionals, their families and their loved ones, patient organisations and women who have experienced the disease and who are helping other patients with their experience. Last night, too, it is a message that their voice must be heard and that they must not remain alone in the fight against this diseasesaid Richard Rashi, Chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
Health Minister Kamil Šaško highlighted the need to link professional care with the experience of the patients themselves.Behind each diagnosis is a specific woman, her family and her life story. Our task is to create the conditions for quality care, comprehensible information and support throughout treatment. Therefore, we need to listen to healthcare professionals and patients when making decisions. Thank you to everyone who helps women with breast cancer every daysaid Minister Kamil Šaško.
Both hosts appreciated the work of health teams and patient organisations that provide help, advice and mutual support to women and their loved ones. They also stressed the importance of educating the prevention and early detection of the disease.
The event also reminded of the message of this year's campaign of Pink October, which the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic is implementing through the National screening centre: "Prevent cancer and don't wait for symptoms." Screening mammography can detect the disease before the first symptoms occur and is fully covered by public health insurance. Therefore, the Ministry of Health invites women not to postpone the examination. Information on whom screening is intended and how to order is available on the sitewww.oncocontrol.sk.
The pink light of the Bratislava Castle was a symbolic culmination of the event and an extraordinary gesture of solidarity with women with breast cancer and their families. This was done exceptionally due to the overall importance of prevention and early detection of cancer diseases, as well as the joint initiative of the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic and the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic in the framework of Ružového October. Lighting was thus part of a wider effort to draw public attention to prevention that can save lives.