Costa Ricans dress in pink against breast cancer

San Jose, Oct 10 (IANS/EFE) Thousands of Costa Ricans dressed in pink took out a march in the capital city of San Jose to create awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer.

About 1,000 women in the country are detected with the illness every year, according to the Costa Rica Social Security (CCSS).

With pink T-shirts, emblems and balloons, thousands of people, including children, marched through the capital, led by Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla, who was also dressed in pink.

“It’s important that we women be aware of our health because a woman is often more concerned about the health of her children, her husband and her family, and forgets about her own,” Chinchilla said Saturday.

“With just a little care, breast cancer can be prevented, and it all begins with making ourselves aware of it, knowing how to give ourselves examinations and in that way we can avoid a lot of suffering,” the president added.

Karen Acevedo, a university student, said marches like that are a “beautiful activity” that awaken women to the importance of self-examination for early detection of breast cancer.

“We should all take responsibility and be concerned about our health. A self-examination is easy and can save your life,” she said.

As part of the campaign against breast cancer, public institutions and private companies have placed pink ribbons on their logos and are running advertisements supporting the initiative.

Trains in San Jose have also been painted pink and are displaying posters from the campaign on all the passenger coaches.

–IANS/EFE