Pink October is back, and with it the ribbons, the charity runs, the shop windows turning pink. Behind all that pink lies a simple message: breast cancer detected early can be cured in the vast majority of cases. And there are all those for whom the diagnosis is already behind them, and who are rebuilding, day after day.
This month, we wanted to talk about both.
Screening, an appointment that matters
According to France's National Cancer Institute, when detected early, breast cancer is cured in 9 cases out of 10. Screening remains the most effective way to get there. In France, the guidelines are simple:
- From 50 to 74, a mammogram every two years, fully covered by national health insurance, with nothing to pay upfront.
- From 25, a clinical breast exam every year, by a doctor or a midwife.
- With a family history, tailored follow-up, sometimes earlier: your doctor will guide you.
If you do not receive the invitation letter, your doctor can prescribe the exam. And if you live outside France, look up your country's screening programme: most countries have one.
Know your body
You do not need to be an expert. Knowing what your chest usually looks like is enough to notice when something changes. Some signs should lead you to see a doctor without waiting:
- a lump or an area that hardens;
- skin that reddens, dimples or looks like orange peel;
- a nipple that turns inward or changes appearance;
- unusual discharge;
- a lymph node under the arm.
In most cases, it is not cancer. But it is always a good reason to talk to your doctor.
Men too
It is often forgotten: about 1% of breast cancers affect men. Because they do not feel concerned, they often see a doctor later. The same signs, a lump or an inverted nipple, deserve the same attention.
At our lab, we support both women and men. Pink October is for everyone.
And after the diagnosis?
For those who have been through the illness, Pink October has another colour. After a mastectomy, reconstruction takes time: one step at a time, one scar at a time. Some people choose surgical reconstruction, others an external breast prosthesis, others prefer to live without. All of these paths are legitimate, and nothing forces you to decide quickly.
Often, the nipple comes last, if it comes at all. Yet it is this detail that leads many of our patients to say they recognise themselves in the mirror again.
The nipple prosthesis, a simple gesture
Our nipple prostheses are handmade in our lab in Chambéry, in medical-grade silicone. They are applied to the skin with a medical adhesive, without surgery, and removed whenever you wish. Two ways to choose yours:
- Ready-to-wear: fifteen shades for six skin tones, with a guide to find yours in a few clicks.
- Custom-made: from an impression of your chest, for a prosthesis that matches down to the shade.
They can be applied as soon as the stitches are removed, usually two to three weeks after surgery, with the agreement of your medical team.
Taking care of one another
Pink October is also this. Reminding a friend, a brother, a mother to book an appointment. Holding a hand in a waiting room. Listening without giving advice. And giving everyone the right to move forward at their own pace.
This month, book your screening appointment. And talk about it with those around you.