Accompanied by the inspiring beat of Miao drums, the terraced fields of Yunding in Guizhou come alive with shades of pink, spreading love and hope far and wide. This year marks the first time Aikang Group has brought the pink charity initiative to rural areas, continuing a legacy of care that has lasted for fourteen years.
On October 25, the “Pink Power Qianxing: Together for Health” event held by Aikang Group took place in the Gaopo Miao Township of Huaxi District, Guiyang. This event represents Aikang’s fourteenth consecutive participation in the Pink Ribbon campaign and the thirteenth release of the “China Women’s Health Pink Report.” The terraced fields were illuminated by thousands of pink lights, symbolizing their support for women’s health in Guizhou. Prior to this event, Aikang’s medical team conducted free health clinics in Huishui, Libo, Luodian, and other areas, demonstrating their commitment to the health of rural women.
October is recognized as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” and the Pink Ribbon has become a globally recognized symbol for this cause. This charity event was co-hosted by the China Radio and Television Social Organizations Federation Health China Promotion Committee, the Beijing Kangmeng Charity Foundation, Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and Aikang Group, with support from Guizhou Radio and Television Station, Siemens Healthineers, Eagle Eye Technology, and Yiti Health Technology, fostering a warm atmosphere of pink across Guizhou.
Attendees included notable guests such as Pan Xiangming, President of the China Radio and Television Social Organizations Federation and Health China Promotion Committee; Jiang Yun, Vice President of the Guizhou Women’s Federation; Shen Hu, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee at Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital; and Zhang Ligan, Founder and CEO of Aikang Group, among others. Together, they discussed the strategies for preventing and treating breast cancer among women.
Breast cancer remains a significant challenge, especially in rural areas. According to data from the National Cancer Center, over 357,000 new cases were reported in China in 2022, with the incidence rate for rural women at 31.61 per 100,000. Although this figure is lower than that for urban women, the increase in breast cancer rates in rural areas is outpacing urban regions, with a projected rise of 11.09% by 2030.
In rural areas of China, awareness and knowledge about breast cancer prevention are often lacking. Many industry experts and medical professionals attended the charity event to address the new challenges, concepts, and developments in breast health. Their goal is to raise awareness about breast health and to promote the principles of “early prevention, early detection, and early treatment” among more women in society.
Focusing on women’s health is a priority in building a “Healthy China,” but the rising incidence of breast cancer poses a serious threat to women’s well-being. Pan Xiangming called for collective efforts across various sectors to contribute to women’s health initiatives and to promote the Pink Ribbon movement for better breast disease prevention.
Liuying, the chairwoman of the Beijing Kangmeng Charity Foundation, emphasized the importance of breast health, especially for women in rural areas. “Breast health is crucial for their quality of life and family happiness,” she stated. “We encourage rural women to have at least one breast exam a year and urge the public to pay attention to health issues affecting rural women, joining the Pink Ribbon movement to spread awareness about early screening.”
In the realm of early diagnosis and screening of breast cancer, imaging technology plays an invaluable role, as highlighted by Peng Tao, Vice President of Siemens Healthineers in Greater China. “Siemens Healthineers has a longstanding partnership with Aikang Group. The CT mobile clinic at this event was also provided by Siemens. Together, we are committed to offering comprehensive and accurate screening solutions using advanced imaging technology to empower women’s breast health.”
As a pioneer in preventive medicine, Aikang Group has consistently worked with society to advance breast cancer prevention initiatives, continuously tracking the breast health status of Chinese women. Founder, Chairman, and CEO Zhang Ligan released and discussed the “2024 China Women’s Health Pink Report,” stating, “This is the thirteenth edition of the Pink Report, and we have yet to see any signs of decline in breast cancer incidence. This serious threat to women’s health prompts us to take action. The Pink Ribbon initiative coming to Guizhou is intended to inspire more women in rural areas to prioritize their health and rallying social support for rural women’s breast health.”
The Pink Report draws on data from over 3.38 million adult women who underwent health checks at Aikang’s facilities between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. It showed that about 90% of these women participated in breast-related checks, and approximately 77% underwent breast ultrasound exams.
Recent findings reveal alarming trends about breast health among contemporary women, as a significant portion are either diagnosed with breast nodules or believe they will be soon. The Pink Report indicates that nearly 40% of women screened with breast ultrasounds were found to have nodules, in line with projections from last year’s report. Over six years, the detection rate of breast nodules has skyrocketed from 17% to 38%, more than doubling.
Looking ahead, Aikang anticipates that by 2027, the detection rate of breast nodules may approach 50%, suggesting that one in two women will face this issue soon. The dual pressures of family responsibilities and life stress, along with hormonal fluctuations, have placed middle-aged women at the forefront. The highest detection rate of nodules is found in women aged 40 to 49, with older women showing varying rates based on age.
Recent statistics also highlight that working women in high-pressure fields, particularly in finance, experience significant breast health issues, with 40% of female users being diagnosed with nodules. In contrast, women from less economically developed regions report lower detection rates, underscoring the impact of geographical and economic factors on breast health.
Notably, women in Guizhou show a lower breast health risk than the national average, with approximately 30% of those screened finding nodules, compared to nearly ten points lower than the national figure of 40%. This aligns with regional cancer statistics, indicating Guizhou’s breast cancer rate is comparatively low.
Preventive measures are crucial for combating breast health crises. The “Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer” recommend that women with BRCA1/2 genetic mutations engage in proactive screening to assess their cancer risk. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, can detect tumors not visible through other methods, aiding early identification of breast cancer.
Aikang advises that women should begin annual breast checks starting at age 35, with more frequent screenings for those with a family history of breast cancer or genetic mutations. For those diagnosed with breast issues, Aikang offers integrated healthcare solutions in its centers across major cities, allowing timely interventions.
Addressing HPV infections is equally important, as cervical cancer remains a leading cause of female malignancies in China. High-risk HPV infections significantly increase the risk of cervical cancer. Aikang recently conducted screenings revealing that nearly 20% of women tested were positive for HPV, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring of cervical health.
The event culminated in a stunning visual display as the terraced fields of Yunding were lit up in pink, symbolizing hope and support for rural women’s health. Aikang has previously marked significant locations with the Pink Ribbon initiative, and this latest lighting aims to reinforce its commitment to promoting breast health in rural communities.
The statistics underscore a pressing need for improved awareness and screening efforts for women’s cancers, especially among rural populations. Aikang is determined to enhance healthcare accessibility through innovative technologies while conducting free screening initiatives in underserved areas, bringing vital healthcare support where it’s needed most.
On October 18-20, Aikang’s medical team provided clinic services in rural Guizhou, aiming to improve health outcomes and knowledge among local women. The event featured health checkup tents and educational lectures, fostering a network of support for women’s health.
As the event emphasized, women are often the backbone of their families, and their health directly affects the stability of their households. Aikang remains committed to addressing the health care needs of women and will continue to work with partners to support women’s health initiatives against breast cancer, lighting a path toward healthier futures for women everywhere.
