If you did not know, October is breast cancer awareness month, and several airlines are highlighting the event by having specific aircraft painted in special pink liveries to help draw people’s attention. This year alone, more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and while that may sound like a lot, there is hope that most of them will survive.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities.

It always takes place during October, and charities use the event to increase awareness and raise funds to help research its causes and treatments.

  • Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women.
  • When breast cancer is detected early while still in the localized stage, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that breast cancer will rise 77% by 2025.
  • In the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime.
  • In the United States, breast cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths in women under the age of 50.
  • In 2023, the United States Preventive Services Task Force revised its guidelines and now recommends women who have a history of breast cancer in their family start getting annual mammograms beginning at age 40 instead of 50.

Early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer

The key to surviving breast cancer is early detection, and it’s proven by the fact that when it is caught in its early stages, a whopping survival rate of 99%.

Teaching people that whether you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer or have a loved one undergoing treatment, knowing the facts surrounding breast cancer can help you or your loved one to have a better chance of surviving this life-threatening illness. As we already said, a major key to surviving breast cancer is early detection.

The symptoms of breast cancer can vary from person to person, with many not showing any symptoms of abnormal cell growth in the early stages.

If you have any pain, swelling, lumps, or changes to your skin color, you should schedule a consultation with your doctor immediately. This is true even if you feel well as the earlier cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more chance you have of surviving.

The international symbol of breast cancer awareness

In Western societies, the color pink has always been associated with women. It is a feminine color that evokes traditional feminine gender roles, such as caring for others. Intended to evoke solidarity with women who currently have breast cancer, the wearing of a pink ribbon during breast cancer awareness month represents the charitable goodness of people and businesses who publicly support the breast cancer awareness movement.

Delta breat cancer awarness month

Photo: Delta Air Lines

American cosmetics businesswoman Evelyn H. Lauder co-created the pink ribbon in 1992, launching a campaign to raise awareness about the disease and money for lifesaving research. To date, Estée Lauder Companies have raised more than $131 million for lifesaving global research, education, and access to medical care.

Airlines and breast cancer awareness

Since 2005, during October, Delta Air Lines has raised money to support research projects through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. It does this by asking passengers to donate money and setting aside 20% of all onboard sales to breast cancer awareness charities.

Condor FlyPink cabin crew

Photo: Condor Airlines

In celebration of October’s breast cancer awareness month, German leisure airline Condor has unveiled a new “FlyPink” livery on one of its Airbus A320-200s. Shown to the press for the first time on September 30, 2024, registration D-AICS features Condor Airlines’ distinctive striped livery, yet this time it is pink over white.

Condor Airlines hopes that its pink-striped plane will help spread the message about breast cancer awareness and prevention and be a show for those impacted, as well as their families and friends. During October, Condor will collect donations for a German breast cancer non-profit association called “Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V.”

Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V. aims to do the following:

  • To promote prevention and early detection of breast cancer and to break down taboos on this topic.
  • To provide doctors, those affected, and their families with as much information and support as possible.
  • To support independent research.

When speaking about the FlyPink Plane in a company statement, Condor’s COO, Christian Schmitt, said:

“The presentation of our FlyPink Plane makes me particularly proud, because the support for FlyPink originated from our employees many years ago. Since then, our crews have expressed their support every year by wearing pink uniform accessories. From now on, we are literally taking this commitment to new heights, making another strong statement with our FlyPink Plane and offering a platform to organizations like Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V. in the important fight against breast cancer.”

Schmitt_Christian

Photo: Condor Airlines

While also commenting about the FlyPink plane in the same company statement, Brustkrebs Deutschland e. V.’s Founder and Chairwoman, Renate Haidinger, added:

“It’s great that Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V. can be a part of this. Condor’s pink and white striped aircraft will generate a lot of lasting attention and highlight the importance of early detection of breast cancer as well as show solidarity with those affected. We are delighted to be on board.”

The FlyPink Airbus A320-200 made its maiden flight on October 1, 2024, flying from Condor’s main base at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) to César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport (ACE) in Lanzarote in Spain’s Canary Islands.

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