Health · Healthcare & Policy · 2 hrs ago
Ecuadorian breast cancer survivors call for better care and medicine access
More than a dozen breast cancer survivors from 11 provinces walked a runway in Quito at the seventh “Scars of Honor” event.
The show, organized by the Young People Against Cancer Foundation, aims to draw attention to patients’ needs in Ecuador.
The group’s director says about 3,900 people are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and initial tests and medicines can cost more than $2,000.
He called on the government to provide health services with resources and keep diagnoses, prevention, treatment and medicine access moving.
Survivors described the physical and financial strain, while one participant urged women to check themselves and seek support.
Protesters in Quito also called for medicine and timely care, and asked the government to declare a health emergency.
President Daniel Noboa has said corruption, rather than a lack of investment or budget, is the problem; the event was held during breast cancer awareness month.
More than 3,000 women in Ecuador have been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the article.
Survivors from 11 of Ecuador’s 24 provinces took part in the seventh “Scars of Honor” fashion show in Quito.
The event’s organizer called for timely funding for health services and continued access to diagnosis, prevention, treatment and medicines.
A group in northern Quito protested what it said was a lack of medicines and timely care.
President Daniel Noboa said Ecuador’s public health services rank well and blamed corruption, rather than insufficient investment or budget, for problems.
- Who
- Breast cancer survivors and the Fundación Jóvenes Contra el Cáncer organized the fashion show. Protesters also called for better health care.
- What
- Survivors staged the seventh “Scars of Honor” show, while a group protested a lack of medicines and timely care.
- When
- The show took place on a Wednesday. The article was published on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Quito, Ecuador.
- Why
- The show aimed to raise awareness of patients’ situation and call for resources and access to care. Protesters demanded medicines and timely attention.
Protesters and cancer-care advocates
President Daniel Noboa
Health system problems
Protesters and cancer-care advocates
Advocates called for timely resources, diagnosis, treatment and medicine access; protesters said medicines and timely care were lacking.
President Daniel Noboa
Noboa said the problem was corruption, not a lack of investment or budget.
Public health services
Protesters and cancer-care advocates
Protesters called for the health sector to be declared an emergency.
President Daniel Noboa
Noboa said Ecuador was well placed in public health services rankings, without specifying them.
The International Day of the Fight Against Breast Cancer is observed annually.
More than a dozen women from 11 provinces took part in the seventh “Scars of Honor” show in Quito.
- Diagnoses
- More than 3,000 women in Ecuador have been diagnosed with breast cancer
- Annual diagnoses
- More than 3,900, according to Gustavo Dávila
- Daily diagnoses
- 11 people, according to Gustavo Dávila
- Show
- Seventh edition of “Scars of Honor
- Participants
- More than a dozen women from 11 of Ecuador’s 24 provinces
- Initial costs
- Diagnosis and initial medicines can cost more than $2,000
1 source
What people are saying
each day, 11 people are diagnosed with breast cancer, more than 3,900 a year
Cancer is not synonymous with death, it is synonymous with resilience, with strength
It is not a problem of lack of investment or lack of budget
Touch yourselves, feel yourselves, do not give up, do not shut yourselves away