PINK OCTOBER IN UNIVERSITY EXTENSION: IMPACT OF A PROJECT

Abstract

This article is the result of an extension project, named "Pink October at UNESP: IBILCE and the community united to raise awareness of breast cancer,” which primarily focuses on enlightening and informing about the central questions around the subject. Based on the international movement created in the United States in 1997, the project has been held within the university, aiming to call the attention of the outside and inside communities, highlighting the importance of prevention for this type of cancer by creating habits concerning women's health, focusing on the importance of the early diagnosis. A variety of aspects that are part of women's health and well-being, the oncology area related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment were addressed through various actions that involved the orientation and the exchange of knowledge between academics, students and staff of different areas and departments of the university, aiming at the sharing of awareness about a disease that affects thousands of women every year, in every sphere. Thereby, these actions were extended to the outside communities, reaching relatives and people related to the inside community of the university in an activity that combined the dissemination of information about the subject and charitable actions. It is a qualitative research approach, which includes experiences, interactions, and explanations; however, a quantitative analysis was also employed to determine the efficiency of the project concerning its target audience. From the research results, it was possible to see unfamiliarity with the subject, thus reaffirming the importance of actions like the ones carried out by the project, to raise awareness on the inside and outside communities about the importance of prevention and early diagnosis of the breast cancer.