October is recognised worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, or Pink October (Octubre Rosa). During this time, the colour pink becomes a powerful symbol of prevention, solidarity, and hope. In Paraguay, the Centro Ciudad Mujer in the city of Villa Elisa, about 30 minutes south of Asunción, is also joining the movement. The centre offers free mammograms from Monday to Friday, also on Saturdays 5, 12, 19, and 26 October, from 7:00 to 12:00. This initiative is part of the October Rosa campaign “Let us make prevention a tradition.”
The aim is simple but powerful: to save lives by detecting breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. Ciudad Mujer extends its hours and includes weekend appointments. This ensures that more women, regardless of their circumstances, can access timely screenings.
Ciudad Mujer’s role in prevention
Created in 2018 and inspired by a regional model, Ciudad Mujer brings together services for women’s health, wellbeing, and empowerment. Since its opening, the centre has marked Pink October each year with free mammograms. It also offers cervical cancer screenings, including Pap tests, colposcopies, and HPV studies. This integrated approach reflects its mission of prevention and comprehensive care.
The system has been designed to reduce barriers. Women over 40 can receive a mammogram without a medical order if six months have passed since their last test. Women aged 35 and older with a family history of breast cancer are also eligible without a referral. Younger women, however, can attend with a doctor’s order. By simplifying requirements, Ciudad Mujer demonstrates that prevention must be accessible and not weighed down by bureaucracy.
Extending care beyond Ciudad Mujer
Ciudad Mujer is one of the main points offering free mammograms during October Rosa, but not the only one. Hospitals and regional health centres across Paraguay are also participating in the campaign, led by the Ministry of Public Health with support from the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Women, and the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communication. Together, they create a network that reaches women in both urban and rural areas.
By offering exams free of charge, Ciudad Mujer and its partners ensure that prevention is accessible to every woman. October Rosa is more than an awareness drive; it is a collective tradition of care that grows stronger each year, reminding families and communities that early detection saves lives.
