Pink October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Health, awareness, and legal responsibility in Cape Verde

Why October matters: prevention, early diagnosis, and social impact

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about prevention, screening, and providing information on warning signs. It’s a time to raise awareness and honor the millions of lives affected by breast cancer.

Early diagnosis reduces the mortality rate and allows for less aggressive treatments, improving the quality of life for those affected. According to the WHO, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In 2022, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed, and 670,000 died from the disease.

The institutional framework and recent initiatives in Cape Verde

In recent years, the Cape Verdean government, together with the National Institute of Public Health, has been strengthening strategies to combat cancer. In 2025, the “2025 – Year of Cancer” initiative was launched, highlighting awareness campaigns, screening programs, training for health professionals, and prevention actions. It emphasized goals for 2025, which include increasing early detection of the disease, expanding access to treatments, and strengthening public policies focused on oncology.

User rights and public service obligations

Constitutionally, the right to health is recognized, and the National Health Service is regulated by specific legislation that establishes the foundations of the NHS in Cape Verde. Users have guaranteed rights to access information, confidentiality, dignity, and treatment without discrimination. These are central principles when it comes to cancer treatments, where stigma and misinformation can still cause harm. The State, through its competent bodies, has the obligation to promote preventive measures and ensure accessible and quality health services.

Legal Responsibility of the State, Caregivers, and Employers

1. State and public policies: the State has a duty to promote and plan public health policies (screening programs, awareness campaigns, oncology training and referral for treatment).
2. Healthcare Providers: Healthcare professionals and institutions must adhere to ethical and legal rules, ensuring clear information for patients, respecting confidentiality, and guaranteeing appropriate treatment. Violations due to negligence, medical malpractice, delayed diagnosis due to negligence, and violation of clinical data may result in civil and disciplinary liability, and in more extreme cases, criminal liability.
3. Employers and social protection: Cancer patients often face labor-related issues. Legislation on social protection and administrative agreements relating to social security guarantee protections.

Final Considerations

Pink October is a key moment to remember that the fight against cancer is simultaneously medical, social, and legal. In Cape Verde, awareness campaigns, supported by initiatives such as “2025 the Year of Cancer,” national health promotion plans, and National Health Service legislation, create a favorable environment to advance robust policies. The law has a dual role: protecting the individual rights of patients (information, confidentiality, treatment, and non-discrimination) and supporting collective demands for quality, efficient, and life-saving public services.