The 2025 edition of the Breast Cancer Awareness Index, a study commissioned by Instituto Natura and Avon to measure Brazilian women’s knowledge regarding breast health care, shows that only 29% – the majority of whom are over 40 years old – possess sufficient information on the subject to successfully navigate the breast care journey, whether for risk reduction, diagnosis, or treatment of the disease. This figure accounts for those who demonstrated a “very high” or “high” level of knowledge about risk factors, exams, symptoms, and legislation regarding the disease.

The data highlights the urgent need to expand access to clear and accurate information about breast care, which is the primary objective of the Movimento de Conscientização Pelo Cuidado das Mamas (Movement for Breast Care). The Awareness Index is one of the movement’s key strategies and involves the partnership of Instituto Natura and Avon, as well as RD Saúde (the group comprising the Raia and Drogasil pharmacies), Instituto Oncoguia, and the Rede Feminina de Combate ao Câncer (Women’s Network to Fight Cancer). This disease is the most frequent type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer death among women in Brazil, according to the Instituto Nacional do Câncer (INCA). Furthermore, according to data from the Panorama do Câncer de Mama (Breast Cancer Overview), also developed by Instituto Natura, there has been a higher incidence among women under 40 years of age in recent years.

In detail, the Awareness Index shows that 4 out of 10 women do not adopt practices to reduce the risks of developing breast cancer, 21% believe that breast self-examination is the primary method for identifying suspected disease – rather than mammography, as indicated by medical organizations – and 95% do not know what the Lei dos 30 Dias (30-Day Law) is, which guarantees access to test results in case of suspicion within this maximum timeframe.

In addition, approximately 86% of the respondents did not know that it is possible to get a mammogram through the National Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde – SUS) outside the age range recommended by the Ministry of Health if they have a medical referral due to increased risk or present symptoms. “This raises an important red flag, because the incidence of breast cancer among younger women has been increasing. This information needs to reach the population, and the screening age range in SUS needs to be expanded, keeping pace with the changes in incidence,” states Maria Slemenson, Superintendent of Instituto Natura Brasil.

Black and Brown women have less information about the disease

The survey also revealed ethnic-racial and socioeconomic inequalities regarding the level of information about the disease and access to early diagnosis. Women who self-identify as Brown (pardas) or Black (pretas) have “high” or “very high” awareness levels of 28%, while among white women this figure reaches 34% – the overall average is 29%.

“The Index makes it clear how much we still need to advance in terms of information, access, and rights. Breast cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer death among women in Brazil, but many still do not know that they have the right to exams through SUS, nor how to identify warning signs. At Oncoguia, we believe that information saves lives, and we continue working so that every woman has the means to care for her health with dignity,” emphasizes Luciana Holtz, President of Instituto Oncoguia.

Other relevant data:

• 68% do not know that a hereditary genetic factor is a potential risk for developing breast cancer;
• 79% of respondents are unaware that there is a subsequent step after a mammogram (a biopsy) to confirm a breast cancer diagnosis.

Methodology

The Breast Cancer Awareness Index study was conducted by Somatório Inteligência, commissioned by Instituto Natura and Avon – which have been working on initiatives promoting women’s health and rights for over 22 years –, and surveyed 2,662 women over the age of 18 across all regions of the country. The sample was controlled by quotas for age group, socioeconomic class (there is an underrepresentation of classes D and E due to non-acceptance to participate in the survey, mostly caused by a lack of confidence in discussing the subject), states (unidades federativas), and the size of the municipalities of residence.

The survey’s margin of error is 1.9%, with a 95% confidence level. The regions with the highest number of participants are the Southeast (43%), Northeast (26%), and South (15%). The North and Midwest correspond to 8% each of the total number of women surveyed. The interviews took place between July 6 and August 10 of this year, half of them conducted in person and half by phone.

To view the infographic of the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Index, click here.