October 16: Breast Health Action Day at the FHV

On October 16, an action day will take place at the FHV - Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences. The focus will be on new opportunities for breast cancer prevention and support programs in Vorarlberg. All interested women and men are invited, admission is free.

Around 1000 pink bras are currently hanging in garlands on the FHV campus. Inspired by the Pink Ribbon, which has been a global symbol of solidarity and awareness for breast cancer prevention since 1985, the art campaign on campus sends out a strong visual signal. October is internationally dedicated to breast cancer prevention. The aim is to draw particular attention to this important topic during this month. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Figures from the Ministry of Health show that only 36% of the core target group in Vorarlberg go for screening, which is a relatively low proportion.

Day of action on October 16 
The FHV is taking up this important issue and inviting people to a day of action on October 16. From 3pm to 7pm, the focus will be on breast cancer screening. Breast awareness and mindfulness, early detection and the benefits of palpation examinations will be discussed. Dr. Bernd Hartmann from Krebshilfe Vorarlberg will also be speaking on the topic "For the love of life. Breast cancer prevention and early detection". The FHV scientists will provide an insight into the results of the Interreg research project MammAware. They will show how self-examination of the breast can be supported using virtual reality technology.

Tactile sense of visually impaired women
The importance of early detection is very important and can significantly increase the chance of survival. Our MammAware research project aims to raise awareness by using digital technologies and at the same time incorporating the excellent sense of touch of visually impaired and blind women," emphasizes project manager Hubert Jocham. Dr. Frank Hoffmann, specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics and founder and university management of the non-profit company Discovering Hands worldwide, explains: "We exclusively train (inter)national medical tactile examiners (MTU) for this unique assisting profession. Scientific studies have confirmed the success of tactile diagnosis - with the highly sensitive sense of touch of blind people, breast cancer can be detected at a curable stage." 

Use of virtual reality
The qualified MTUs work in around one hundred cooperating medical practices across Germany and in pilot projects in Austria. The diagnosis based on the findings is made by the responsible doctors following the examination. Another important pillar of early detection is self-examination. MTUs guide women and give one-hour individual training sessions on their own breasts. Another component of the MammAware project is examining the development of an innovative technological solution using virtual reality to teach tactile breast self-examination. The program on the day of action will provide an insight into the many options for breast cancer screening. Information stands from organizations such as Krebshilfe Vorarlberg, Connexia, Discovering Hands, Frauenenselbsthilfe bei Brustkrebs and other committed initiatives round off the programme. Participation is free of charge, but registration is requested.

1000 pink bras on campus
Around 1000 pink bras were collected and dyed pink with the help of carla Vorarlberg as a partner and the support of FHV students and staff. Karoline Mätzler, Head of Department for Work and Qualification at carla Vorarlberg, emphasizes: "We were very happy to support this valuable campaign. It shows how important solidarity and mutual support are in the fight against breast cancer." The FHV was also able to count on the network of the Association of Austrian Textile Chemists and Colorists (VÖTC). "The Dornbirn Vocational School and the HTL Dornbirn were responsible for dyeing the bras, so a big thank you to them," emphasized Jocham. The brassieres now hang in garlands throughout the campus. Jocham explains: "We would like to thank all our partners and everyone who donated the bras. No wearable textiles were wasted, but rather collected, checked and, if necessary, reused."

About the MammAware project
The MammAware project aims to reduce the prevalence of breast cancer by raising awareness and using digital technologies. The project partners are Krebshilfe Vorarlberg, Discovering Hands (GER), Klinikum Friedrichshafen - Brustzentrum Bodensee, and Kabatec (GER). Among other things, virtual reality (VR) applications are being developed for digital knowledge transfer and guidance for breast self-examination. This encourages interested women to perform regular breast self-examinations at home. In addition, visually impaired and blind women will be qualified as medical tactile examiners and will carry out tactile examinations and instructions on behalf of and in cooperation with regional breast centers and gynecologists. Regional companies can engage the trained experts for occupational health management.


More about the project: MammAware - Website

Free participation, all information and registration here.