LONDON, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ -- Only two in five people
(42%) are confident about recognising the changes to their breasts
that could be a sign of cancer, according to a new survey of 19,000
respondents by Avon Products, Inc., the world's leading social
selling company[i]. The findings also show there is a
knowledge gap amongst women globally about what the symptoms are
for breast cancer and how to lower the risk of developing the
disease.
The World Health Organization estimates that breast cancer kills
more than 500,000 women globally every year, a number that could be
greatly reduced if cancer were detected at an earlier stage.
Despite 73% of respondents saying they look out for changes to
the appearance of their breasts, many report that they aren't
confident recognising the early signs of breast cancer. Moreover,
more than half of those surveyed (60%) would hesitate to seek
medical advice for a variety of reasons, including embarrassment,
fear and not having access to a regular doctor.
The survey also found a lack of knowledge when it comes to
identifying signs and knowing the risks of breast cancer, which may
be due to a lack of information – 30% said that they haven't been
given any information about changes to their breasts that could be
a cause for concern. A quarter (25%) think that a lump is the only
sign of breast cancer that can be identified without medical
equipment. When asked to identify 10 common symptoms of
breast cancer, only 2% managed to select all 10
correctly.[ii]
There is also low awareness of some of the important lifestyle
factors that could prevent breast cancer, with almost two-thirds
(64%) unaware that exercise could help lower the risk of developing
breast cancer. Similarly, 63% of those surveyed do not know that
alcohol consumption is linked to a higher risk of breast
cancer.
Over the last 25 years, Avon
and the Avon Foundation for Women[iii] have donated more
than US$800 million globally to
breast cancer causes, educated 180 million women about this
disease, and funded breast health screenings for nearly 20 million
women.
The research comes as Avon
launches its new Breast Cancer Promise, a renewed multi-year
commitment to educating women about breast health that builds on
its legacy of supporting the breast cancer cause. Avon will work with a host of educators,
partners, health organisations and experts to deliver greater
public awareness of breast cancer and make sure every woman knows
how to take action.
Sheri McCoy, Avon CEO,
said: "Early detection is crucial to fighting breast cancer,
yet our survey found that women don't know their risks or what
signs to look for. We want to change this lack of knowledge by
using the power of our global network of women – 6 million
Avon Representatives and more than
26,000 Associates – and our breast cancer partners, to educate
women. Our Promise outlines our long-term commitment to ensure
every woman is breast health aware, every day."
Dr Paul Goss, Chairman of the
Avon Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and Director of Breast
Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, said: "These
figures show just how much work still has to be done in raising
awareness of breast cancer, particularly its signs, risks and how
to act on concerns about it. Awareness is essential, since it
ensures that breast cancer is detected at an early stage.
Early detection is the most effective way of saving lives, it is
crucial to tackling breast cancer."
The Avon Breast Cancer Promise will see the world's
leading social selling company commit to:
- Working in partnership with charities and breast cancer
experts to activate the largest global movement focused on making
sure everybody is aware of and understands their breast cancer
risks.
- Galvanising its network of six million Avon Representatives and using its brochures
and digital tools to help 50 million women a year – 250 million
women over the next five years – recognise the early signs of
breast cancer.
- Helping every woman know when and where to seek medical
advice, through connecting them with local health services and
charities, or through Avon-funded
helplines and mammogram screenings.
The Avon Breast Cancer Promise
Breast health aware. Every woman. Every
day.
Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. At Avon, we believe that no woman should die
because she was left in the dark about breast cancer.
Too many women still don't know enough about this disease.
Join us to help change this.
Together we will…
…help every woman know the risks…
…so, no matter her age, she understands the risks of
developing breast cancer, and what she can do to manage them.
…help every woman know the signs…
…so she knows what breast health means for her, and can
recognise the early signs of breast cancer.
…help every woman know how to take action…
…so she can seek help and medical advice when it's
needed.
Join us.
Avon. Beauty for a
Purpose.
For more information, go to:
www.avoncompany.com/breast-cancer-crusade
About Avon Products, Inc.
Avon is the Company that for
130 years has proudly stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and,
above all, women. Avon products
include well-recognized and beloved brands such as ANEW, Avon
Color, Avon Care, Skin-So-Soft, and Advance Techniques sold through
nearly 6 million active independent Avon Sales Representatives.
[i] Avon surveyed more than
19,000 people from 15 countries in which it operates – including
Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, Turkey and the UK – on their knowledge of
breast cancer and the disease's risks.
[ii] Breast Cancer Awareness Measure developed by Cancer
Research UK, King's College London and University College London in
2009 and validated with the support of Breast Cancer Care and
Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
[iii] The Avon Foundation for Women is the world's largest
corporate-affiliated philanthropy focused on issues that matter
most to women. Since its inception in 1955, the Avon
Foundation has promoted or aided charitable, scientific,
educational, and humanitarian activities, with a special emphasis
on activities that improve the lives of women and their families.
Through 2016, Avon and the Avon
Foundation have contributed over $1 billion in over 50
countries. Today, Avon global
philanthropy programs focus on funding breast cancer research and
advancing access to quality care through the Avon Breast Cancer
Crusade, and efforts to reduce domestic and gender violence through
its Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program. Visit
www.avonfoundation.org for more information.
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SOURCE Avon Products, Inc.