The event was organized by the National assembly of the Disabled of Ukraine jointly with the All-Ukrainian Public Organization of Cancer Disabled and Kyiv City Public Organization “Amazonky” and numerous organizations form all regions of Ukraine under the auspices of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Matters of Pensioners, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities and the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine.
The March was devoted to the universal month of fight against cancer. It aimed at attracting public attention to the problem of cancer prevention, particularly, breast cancer. In order to revitalize activity on prevention and spread of breast cancer and in order to attract public attention to this problem, the President of Ukraine has issued a Decree of January 17, 2005 and established the All-Ukrainian Day for fighting breast cancer that is annually held on October 20.
While preparing to the March, the Committee on Matters of Pensioners, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities focused on the fact that women’s health is the most important characteristic of population development, since both the health of new generations and the health of the nation depend on it.
According to the information, provided by the Committee, this problem is especially topical in Ukraine, which, according to the statistical data, is high on the list in Europe in the number of deaths caused by this disease.
Cancer incidence rate and cancer mortality constantly increases due to unfavorable environmental situation and significant ageing of population.
Breast cancer ranks first among women’s malignant neoplasms.
Annually 7-8 million of women die of breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Registry data. The majority of them are able bodied.
The Committee drew attention to the fact that despite certain efforts on the part of state officials are being made, the problem of breast cancer remains in a state of neglect.
In order to systemically and comprehensively settle the breast cancer problem, it is necessary to: ensure free breast cancer diagnosis for women in regions; implement recommendations to the Parliamentary hearings “Cancer diseases in Ukraine. Problems and ways to overcome them” (2004); prepare and refer for consideration by the Government the Law “On protection of rights of cancer patients”, etc.