Ashgabat, 16 October 2026 — As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an awareness-raising event on breast cancer brought together women of reproductive age, representatives of local women’s communities and social media influencers in Ashgabat to discuss breast cancer prevention, risk factors and the importance of early detection. Organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Turkmenistan and the Delegation of the European Union to Turkmenistan, the event provided participants with practical information on breast health, screening options and breast self-examination.
The programme included a session led by an oncologist and mammography specialist covering breast cancer prevention, clinical screening options and a guided demonstration of breast self-examination techniques. Participants also heard a personal account from a breast cancer survivor, highlighting the importance of support and access to reliable health information.
A session led by a professional psychologist addressed health-related anxiety, the stress associated with diagnosis and emotional well-being. An interactive question-and-answer session gave participants an opportunity to engage with medical professionals and other speakers.
The event also highlighted the role of women’s community networks and social media in sharing reliable information about breast health and encouraging women to seek medical advice and appropriate screening. By engaging community members and influencers, the initiative aimed to extend awareness beyond the event and promote informed conversations about prevention, early detection and women’s health. ///nCa, 16 October 2026 (in cooperation with UNFPA Turkmenistan)