MSD supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month October

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03.10.2022 08:00 Europe/Zurich

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Lucerne, October 3, 2022 – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global initiative to raise awareness on the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, the most common cancer in women. MSD supports these efforts with various initiatives, including the awareness campaign «Sag Nein zu Brustkrebs, sag Ja zur Früherkennung!» and the launch of a website for breast cancer patients and their relatives.

As one of the world’s leading companies in oncology, MSD supports the Breast Cancer Awareness Month October. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Switzerland and worldwide. At MSD, we show solidarity with those facing breast cancer. We do everything we can to drive further innovation that will help to save and improve lives. Especially in October we support various activities to educate about the importance of prevention and early detection – because the earlier breast cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of a cure.”, says Dr. Ans Heirman, Managing Director MSD Switzerland.

Awareness Campaign «Sag Nein zu Brustkrebs, sag Ja zur Früherkennung!»

To mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month October, MSD supports the awareness campaign “Sag Nein zu Brustkrebs, sag Ja zur Früherkennung!” (Say no to breast cancer, say yes to early detection) in partnership with EUROPA DONNA Switzerland. On 4 days in October, events will be held in the pink container ”Pink Cube” in Baden and Zurich, where gynecologists will offer free consultations and breast examinations to interested visitors. Everyone is invited to visit the Pink Cube and take advantage of the free consultation and breast examination.

For more information please visit the Website

MSD launches website for breast cancer patients and their relatives

Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month October, MSD is expanding its patient portal MSD Gesundheit with information about breast cancer. The new website provides detailed information about the disease including risks and options for prevention, early detection and treatment of breast cancer. In addition, the website offers answers to the most frequently asked questions about breast cancer and information on where affected people can get advice and support.

“The diagnosis of breast cancer is the first step on a path that raises many questions, causes uncertainties and fears. With the information on the patient portal MSD Gesundheit, we want to offer an information platform that helps patients and their relatives to better understand their disease and offers them guidance on their journey,” says Will Wooding, Director Business Unit Oncology, MSD Switzerland.

About breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and accounts for almost one third of all cancer diagnoses.1 In Switzerland, around 6,300 women and 50 men are diagnosed with breast cancer, around 1,410 people die of it every year.1 The rate of disease increases with age.2 Nevertheless, a quarter of all patients are younger than 50 at the time of diagnosis.2 Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed, affecting more than 2.3 million people.3

The earlier breast cancer is detected and treated, the better the chances of cure.2 In addition to the preventive checkup at the gynecologist, every woman should palpate her breast regularly to notice changes. For women over 50, mammography is recommended to detect breast cancer at an early stage.2

Today, significantly fewer women die from breast cancer than twenty years ago.4 This is due to improved early detection and new and more advanced therapies.4 Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapies, radiotherapies, anti-hormone therapies, immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Often, different types of therapy are combined.

More information

References

  1. https://www.krebsliga.ch/ueber-krebs/zahlen-fakten/, last access 26.9.2022
  2. https://www.krebsliga.ch/ux/brustkrebs-ux20, last access 26.09.2022
  3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/breast-cancer, last access 26.09.2022
  4. https://www.nkrs.ch/assets/files/publications/Krebsbericht2021/1177-2100-de.pdf, last access 26.09.2022

About MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme

At MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com and connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme in Switzerland

In Switzerland, MSD Merck, Sharp & Dohme employs around 1,000 people at five sites in the cantons of Lucerne and Zurich. At our site in Zurich, in “The Circle”, we operate the newly opened global innovation and development hub. Our main therapeutic areas are oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, and diabetes. We also operate a broad portfolio of vaccines for the prevention of diseases in children, adolescents, and adults. Switzerland is part of MSD’s global clinical research program with more than 30 clinical trials annually. At our site in Schachen, we manufacture drugs for global clinical trials and operate a forensic laboratory. MSD also takes local responsibility for the community and has been involved in the “Trendtage Gesundheit Luzern” and the Alliance Health competence. In 2022, MSD received the “Top Employer Switzerland” award for the tenth time in a row.

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Media contact

Dr. phil. Caroline Hobi

Associate Director Policy & Communications

media.switzerland@msd.com | Tel. 058 618 30 30

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