The Crown Princess is patron of the Swedish Cancer Society's Pink Ribbon campaign
On Friday 1 October, the Swedish Cancer Society launched its Pink Ribbon campaign. For the thirteenth year running, The Crown Princess is the patron of the campaign which runs during October.
During an audience, which took place on 21 September at the Royal Palace, the Swedish Cancer Society's Secretary General Ulrika Årehed Kågström spoke about the Society's work and this year's Pink Ribbon campaign. Chair of the Swedish Cancer Society's Research Commission Klas Kärre described the latest research within the field.
There are around 200 different cancers, and more than 66,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Sweden every year. Of these, almost 8,200 receive a diagnosis of breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among women. Today, around 87% of women survive for ten years after a diagnosis of breast cancer.
Men can also contract breast cancer, although this is unusual. More than 60 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in Sweden each year.
The campaign to fight breast cancer
The Swedish Cancer Society's Pink Ribbon campaign runs throughout October with the aim of raising money for cancer research, raising awareness of the disease and stimulating debate. The funds raised are distributed to the best research projects in national competition, regardless of the form of cancer.
Today, the pink ribbon is an international symbol of the fight against breast cancer, which each October – International Breast Cancer Awareness Month – unites and engages people worldwide.
The Pink Ribbon campaign taken place each year since 2003, and The Crown Princess is the campaign's patron for the thirteenth year running.
This year's pink ribbon was created by fashion designer Selam Fessahaye.