Day: September 23, 2025

No fewer than eight in ten Belgians are willing to be tested for breast cancer genes as a preventative measure. This was indicated in a study presented by Pink Ribbon on Tuesday during a press conference to launch October’s breast cancer awareness campaign, reports 24brussels.

The organization is urging the government to ensure that everyone diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as their relatives, can undergo testing.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 Risk

Among the twelve identified breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2 stand out. These genes increase the risk of developing breast cancer by 60 to 80 percent in women and by 1 to 7 percent in men. “They cause untold suffering, especially in women, often at a young age,” says Dr. Marleen Finoulst. An estimated 33,000 to 55,000 people in Belgium are believed to carry these high-risk genes, with at least half unaware of their status.

Call for Political Action

“Too many carriers of these genes are currently left in the dark about this,” Finoulst adds. Currently, Belgium’s eight testing centers lack the capacity for large-scale screening. Pink Ribbon plans to address the issue in federal parliament on Thursday to prompt a debate on “gene testing” for cancer.

Professor Emeritus Jan Lamote commented, “I believe it is cheaper for a minister of finance to conduct preventive testing for the gene on a larger scale.” He noted that many carriers only discover their risk too late, often once they are already ill. Men, too, can benefit from testing: “Their risk of prostate cancer, for example, increases by fifteen percent, but they can also pass the gene on to their daughters,” Lamote explains. “Getting tested is often an act of love for those close to you.”

Limits of Current Testing

Currently, testing for these genes is confined to a blood test for individuals with breast cancer meeting specific criteria, alongside their first- and second-degree relatives. According to Pink Ribbon, follow-up care is inadequate. “In the event of an unfavorable result, the carrier is asked to inform their relatives, as they too are entitled to a genetic test if they desire,” Dr. Finoulst says. “However, this happens far too infrequently and is not properly followed up.”

Pink Ribbon is advocating for expanded testing capacity as part of a broader awareness initiative. This October, the organization is also promoting the often-overlooked realities of breast cancer through its Shine a Light campaign. “Because it often remains invisible, it becomes more difficult to discuss it with those around you,” says Sofie Guns, who will share her experience living with metastatic breast cancer. “The network for people with metastatic breast cancer often shrinks. It is crucial for them to know where to turn.”

^{A patient is pictured before a mammography ©PHOTO ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP}

Foreign ministers back Venezuela, highlight unity, and advance planning for EU summit.

On Monday, foreign ministers of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) convened in New York during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen multilateralism and reaffirm the region as a Zone of Peace amid U.S. military deployment in the Caribbean Sea and threats against Venezuela, reports 24brussels.

Colombian Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio, holding CELAC’s pro tempore presidency, led the meeting aimed at unifying the voice of Latin America and the Caribbean around principles of peaceful coexistence, cooperation, integration, and mutual respect among nations.

The principal agenda item was a rejection of the U.S. military presence in the southern Caribbean Sea. The ministers also discussed critical regional issues, including energy transition, food security, risk management, and migration.

During his address, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil condemned the presence of U.S. naval vessels and a nuclear submarine, describing it as a threat to the peace and stability of the entire region, not just Venezuela. Gil thanked CELAC member states for their solidarity and stressed the importance of unity in defending the Zone of Peace established in 2014 in Cuba by most CELAC members.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez reiterated his country’s commitment to collaborating with CELAC to promote progress on issues vital to regional development and the well-being of its peoples.

Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira voiced their concern regarding foreign military interference. De la Fuente emphasized that Latin America must remain a territory of peace, grounded in respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and international law.

The ministers also advanced planning for the upcoming fourth CELAC-European Union Summit, scheduled for November 9–10. They expressed strong support for the summit and the ongoing negotiations surrounding the Santa Marta Declaration.

Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa affirmed her nation’s solidarity with the Venezuelan government and people, as well as with Palestine, advocating for peace, sovereignty, and dignity. “Putting a bounty on the capture of a constitutional president is an affront to democracy and sovereignty. Filling our seas with warships is a colonialist action we cannot accept,” she stated, condemning U.S. harassment measures against Venezuela.

Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Martinez thanked Colombia’s pro tempore presidency for organizing the meeting and highlighted advancements on the 2025 Work Plan, which he deemed crucial for steering a practical and results-oriented regional agenda. He stressed the importance of CELAC’s internal cohesion, political coordination, and consensus-building.

The CELAC meeting also tackled other pressing matters, including the situation in Haiti, with ministers reaffirming their commitment to the well-being of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.