During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, AstraZeneca is joining forces with partners to focus on prevention, early detection, and optimized treatment. Despite major medical advances, breast cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Switzerland. However, there is no comprehensive, organized screening program: although 15 cantons offer mammography screening, the canton of Zug is not one of them. While the «Pink Cube – Test your Breast» recently stopped in the city of Zug, the exhibition by the Swiss Metastatic Breast Cancer Association, «Ich bin die, die lebt» (I am the one who lives), is now on display at AstraZeneca in Baar.
Despite major medical advances, breast cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Switzerland: every year, around 6’600 women and around 50 men receive this diagnosis, and over 1’400 die from it.1 The earlier a tumor is detected, the greater the chances of recovery are, as a rule – and the less stressful and costly the treatments are.
Raising awareness, sharing knowledge, empowering decisions
AstraZeneca is working with various partners to promote holistic breast cancer care – from equal access to screening, early detection, and diagnosis to optimized treatment methods. The exhibition «Ich bin die, die lebt» by the Swiss Metastatic Breast Cancer Association, currently on display at AstraZeneca in Baar, impressively shows how women with metastatic breast cancer live – and why visibility, dialogue, and understanding are so crucial. «Together with partners from research, practice, and patient organizations, we promote mutual exchange and knowledge transfer. The exhibition is an extraordinary and touching way to give a voice to patients and their unmet needs in metastatic breast cancer», explains Adam Nosal, Head of Oncology.
A bright pink symbol for awareness
Another strong signal is being sent by the «Pink Cube – Test your Breast» initiative, supported by the Cancer League, Europa Donna, AstraZeneca, and other partners. It pursues the common goal of fighting breast cancer and raising awareness of prevention. The pink container visited the city of Zug at the end of September and will be traveling throughout October, particularly in cantons that do not yet have organized mammography screening programs.
Early detection of breast cancer: equal opportunities for all
To date, only 15 cantons offer a comprehensive screening program, with others planning to do so. However, such a program is still lacking in the cantons of Zurich, Zug, and other parts of central Switzerland. At least political initiatives have recently been launched in Zurich, Zug, and Uri to close this gap, but the current situation means unequal treatment: women in cantons with screening programs have been shown to have a better prognosis. A Swiss study shows that larger tumors and more metastases are diagnosed in regions without structured screening programs.2 Despite the proven importance of early detection, only about half of women between the ages of 50 and 74 take advantage of the existing screening services.3 This makes it all the more important to promote education and raise awareness.
Holistic commitment to eliminating cancer as a cause of death
Ambitious goals in cancer care can only be achieved through collaboration and across disciplines. That is why AstraZeneca is committed to a holistic approach: from innovative therapies to prevention and early detection to timely treatment. Because we have a clear ambition: to eliminate cancer as a cause of death and to improve the quality of life of patients in the long term.
Images Vernissage: Samuel Schalch, Images PinkCube: Chiara Rimoldi
Media contact
Tel. +41 (0) 41 725 75 75; media.switzerland@astrazeneca.com
Barbara Hess, Corporate Communications Lead, AstraZeneca Switzerland
AstraZeneca in Switzerland
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that has been present in Switzerland for nearly 50 years, ranking among the country’s top ten revenue-generating pharmaceutical firms. AstraZeneca focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines in the areas of Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, Respiratory and Immunology, and Rare Diseases. Over 285 employees in Switzerland are committed to providing patients with life-changing medicines and making a positive impact on the healthcare system, society, and the planet. Currently, over 230’000 people are treated with a drug from AstraZeneca in Switzerland. Between 2025 and 2027, the company expects the approval of over 35 new therapies. AstraZeneca has pledged to an inclusive work environment based on respect and acceptance. The company was thus recognised as a «Great Place to Work» for the seventh consecutive time in 2025 and carries the «Swiss LGBTI label». AstraZeneca aims to be CO2-negative by 2030.
For more information: www.astrazeneca.ch
References
1 Cancer League (last accessed October 2025: https://www.krebsliga.ch/medien/medienmitteilungen/brustkrebsmonat-welche-methoden-zur-frueherkennung-wirken)
2 Gutzeit et al. Breast cancer in Switzerland: a comparison between organized-screening versus opportunistic-screening cantons. ESMO Open, Volume 9, Issue 10, 2024, 103712, ISSN 2059-7029, https://lnkd.in/dx4Mk9jK.
3 Rathgeb S., Goldinger R, Muri I., 25.04.2025, Early detection of cancer: important but underutilized. Tagesschau, April 25, 2025, main edition. Swiss Radio and Television.https://lnkd.in/dBGz9kZj