'Breast cancer is not pink': Survivors rally in Barcelona to expose realities of 'long and tough' disease

Dozens of protesters took to the streets of Barcelona on Saturday to mark the International Day Against Breast Cancer. 

Under the slogan Breast cancer is not pink, demonstrators gathered at Barcelona's Plaça Sant Jaume at noon. 

Survivors and patients, along with their families and friends, came together to expose the realities of living with this "long and tough" disease. 

"Neither the festive atmosphere nor the pink ribbons represent us. For those of us who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, today is not a celebration," read the manifesto. 

The protesters criticize the annual pink-themed campaigns associated with International Day Against Breast Cancer, labeling them as "pinkwashing." 

They argue that these campaigns have romanticized and trivialized the disease, hiding its seriousness and true impact. 

"The only pink thing about breast cancer is the ribbon; everything else is incredibly tough," Aurora Fernández, president of the Ginkgo association, told the Catalan News Agency (ACN).  

Their campaign aims to draw attention to the difficult and often overlooked realities of breast cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among them.  

"On October 19, our disease will be exploited for commercial purposes that have little to do with research, prevention or treatment," the protesters said.  

The campaign calls for increased investment in research, warning that experts predict cancer will become an epidemic in the next decade if research is not prioritized. 

One of their key demands is for more free screenings to detect cancer at earlier stages, which can significantly reduce mortality rates. 

Currently, in Catalonia, free mammograms are only offered every two years to those aged 50 to 69.  

The campaign advocates for earlier screenings, as more young women are being diagnosed with the disease. 

They are also pushing for faster integration of new medicines into the national healthcare system, which currently takes around two years. 

"It’s not just about surviving cancer. It’s about living longer and improving the quality of life for patients," they emphasized. 

To learn more about breast cancer, hear stories from survivors, and get insights into the current state of treatment in Catalonia, check out this episode of our podcast Filling the Sink. 

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