Breast Cancer Awareness March in Moscow

Breast Cancer affects 50,000 women in Russia ever year, but still not enough is being done to help in the early diagnosis of it. Around 1,000 people took to the streets of Moscow in Russia's first Breast Cancer Awareness March on Saturday.

Breast cancer is the biggest killer for woman between the age of 45 and 55.

“The World Health Organization recommends that woman over the age of 40 undergo a mammography check-up once every two years, increasing to once a year for those over 50. But in reality, this rule is totally neglected in Russia,” said Galina Kozhevkova, the Blohin Oncology Centre.

A speedy diagnosis is crucial, five years down the line and the chances of survival are reduced by 50%. In the U.S. 80% of breast cancer sufferers make a full recovery.

The problem in Russia is the lack of education and the lack of mandatory screening for women over 40. That was the message being spread throughout the capital on Saturday.

Some 10 years after launching their Walks for Breast Cancer in the U.S., Avon turned the streets of Moscow pink for the first time.