TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Pink Walk kicked off Saturday morning at Taipei Expo Park, drawing more than 3,000 participants and encouraging women across Taiwan to take charge of their health through early breast cancer screening.

The annual event, organized by the Formosa Cancer Foundation, aims to raise awareness about the importance of regular breast cancer screenings for eligible women. According to the foundation, studies show that walking for just one hour per week can lower the risk of breast cancer by about 6%.

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Taiwan. The Health Promotion Administration’s 2022 cancer registry reported 17,366 new breast cancer cases,equivalent to one diagnosis every 30 minutes.

Since 1995, the incidence rate has increased nearly fourfold, while the mortality rate has risen by 1.5 times. In 2023, the disease claimed 2,972 lives, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan, according to the foundation's press release.

Formosa Cancer Foundation CEO Chang Wen-cheng (張文震) attributed the rising death toll to low participation in routine screenings. Breast cancer is most prevalent among women aged 45 to 64, and is the leading cancer diagnosis among those aged 45 to 54.

Yet as of 2024, only 39.3% of women aged 45 to 69 had undergone screening, according to the Health Promotion Administration. The foundation noted that regular mammography screenings can reduce breast cancer mortality by 41% and cut the incidence of late-stage diagnoses by 30%.

Nearly 60% of cases detected through screening are identified in the early stages, when treatment is most effective. The five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer can approach 100%, while the rate for late-stage cases drops to below 40%.

The foundation continues to emphasize that both physical activity and timely screening play critical roles in preventing breast cancer and improving survival outcomes.