Marea Rosa: Mijas walk puts breast cancer care in focus

Mijas and Fuengirola joined forces on Saturday, October 17, for the Marea Rosa walk, bringing residents together to support women affected by breast cancer and raise awareness of the disease.

Ana Mata was among those present at the start of the walk at the Gran Parque de Mijas, lending her support to the event as participants gathered for the morning’s activities.

Organised by the local branches of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the walk centred on supporting patients and their families, while calling for greater awareness, continued research and more compassionate care.

More than 38,000 diagnoses expected in Spain

An address at the start of the event highlighted the scale of breast cancer in Spain. More than 38,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease during 2026, while an estimated 516,000 women are currently living with a breast cancer diagnosis, according to figures cited in the speech.

Behind every diagnosis is a person with individual circumstances, concerns and needs, the address stressed. Access to clear information, healthcare professionals who have time to listen and support through the physical and emotional challenges of the disease were among the priorities raised.

Breast cancer can affect far more than physical health, with potential consequences for emotional wellbeing, body image, family life, relationships and employment. The need for care that extends beyond medical treatment was a central message.

AECC campaign puts patients first

The walk also supported the AECC’s “Nos lo tomamos a pecho campaign”, which features breast cancer patients and seeks to give women and their families a stronger voice in decisions about their care.

The Spanish slogan carries a double meaning: “pecho” means breast, while the expression “tomarse algo a pecho” conveys “taking something to heart”. The campaign calls for patients’ experiences to be heard and taken into account, as well as continued investment in research and fair access to early detection, reliable information and support services.

Organisers’ message was that breast cancer care should recognise each woman’s individual needs and help ensure that nobody has to face the impact of the disease alone.

The Marea Rosa brought that message into the heart of the local community, with residents coming together to show their support for those affected by breast cancer.