Breast cancer: working together for early detection

6600 diagnoses and 1400 deaths per year. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Switzerland, making early detection – which Pink Ribbon Schweiz is committed to improving – all the more important. Your SWICA Benevita community coins support the charitable organisation's effective awareness projects.

Overview

A creative approach to greater understanding

The earlier a tumour is detected, the higher the chances of recovery – and breast cancer is no exception. Screening is therefore vital. As well as regularly examining their own breasts, women are advised to start having mammograms (X-rays of the breast tissue) once they turn 50.

Preventive measures are one side of the coin. The other is medical research, and not least the stigma surrounding breast cancer. To combat this, since 2007 Pink Ribbon Schweiz has been raising awareness and building solidarity around this health topic. Its campaigns and initiatives include some impressive events.

For example, the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich regularly plays host to the Pink Ribbon Charity Walk, where 5000 participants come together in support of breast cancer treatment and research. This is just one of the many long-running high-profile events created and organised with great success by Pink Ribbon Schweiz.

What your community coins are doing

Your community coins go directly towards funding the work of Pink Ribbon Schweiz. Their support helps with the following:

  1. Raising awareness: The regular campaigns and events organised by Pink Ribbon Schweiz aim to make healthy women aware of the importance of early detection.
  2. Healthy lifestyle: The organisation's projects are intended to provide information on leading a healthy lifestyle – to date the only genuinely effective form of breast cancer prevention.
  3. Solidarity: A sign that you are not alone: solidarity events are designed to offer strength to cancer sufferers and those close to them.
  4. Research: Through its own events, Pink Ribbon Schweiz raises funds for various breast cancer organisations and research projects.

Pink Ribbon Music Show: get your tickets now

In January 2026, the ballroom of the Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich will be the venue for a very special music show entitled "Zäme simer stercher" (Together we are stronger) – a unique occasion with a profound message.

You can find out more about the programme, the show dates and how to book tickets on the Pink Ribbon Schweiz website.

What you should know about breast cancer

A sad record
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer among women worldwide. One in eight women will suffer from it at some point in their lives.
Increasingly young
The average age of breast cancer diagnosis is around 65, which is younger than the average age for all cancers. However, breast cancer is occurring more and more frequently in women under 50.
High chance of recovery
If breast cancer is discovered at an early stage, the chance of recovery is 99%. That's why regular screening check-ups are essential.
Men are affected too
Men account for around one in every hundred cases of breast cancer. Since awareness of male breast cancer is often low, this can result in late diagnosis.

Past successful projects

These donation projects have already been supported with the help of your community coins.

Protecting native wild bees with Benevita: Your contributions enabled the WWF project “Nature creates connections” to successfully plant hedges, look after pastures and biodiverse meadows, and conduct public awareness campaigns.

More about this project
Your community coins supported WWF's educational and political activities. The donations also supported efforts to promote renewable energy as a replacement for fossil fuels. All these measures may help to reduce glacial melting.

More about this project
Peatlands cover just 3% of the world's land area but store twice as much carbon as all of the world's forests put together. However, these fragile ecosystems are under threat from overexploitation. In addition to raising awareness, WWF is using the community coins to actively conserve and manage intact peatlands.

More about this project
Seen as a tree of the future, the silver fir is a climate-resistant alternative to the endangered spruce. With your community coins you can support the WWF on "Tannätag", a volunteer-led initiative in which silver fir stands are maintained.

More about the project
The aim is to reintroduce salmon to Swiss rivers and lakes. Your community coins benefited WWF's Salmon Comeback, an initiative committed to making obstacles such as power plants surmountable for fish and promoting the rewilding of rivers.

More about this project
The charitable organisation Pro Audito provides support for people with hearing problems. Your community coins went directly towards funding its work, which includes improving access to hearing aids and providing training and day-to-day assistance for sufferers.

More about this project
Dreaming and making dreams come true. A Million Dreams has dedicated itself to this task. The organisation fulfils the dreams of disadvantaged people and encourages everyone to pursue their own dreams and find their personal happiness.

More about this project

SWICA and Pink Ribbon Schweiz – working together for breast cancer prevention

Pink Ribbon Schweiz is a donation partner in the Benevita app, and one that has been working with SWICA for many years. You will find a host of additional information on our shared commitment to breast cancer prevention and some valuable tips on the partner web page.

Benefits of Benevita

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges

Get actively involved in breast cancer prevention. The Benevita app offers interesting and practical challenges on this topic – from instructions on self-examination to tips for a healthy lifestyle.

Live healthily with Benevita

Physical fitness, a balanced diet and regular relaxation are important for a healthy lifestyle. Benevita is a health coach and bonus programme that supports your personal commitment in these areas of health.

Doing good together

When you complete challenges in the Benevita app, in addition to the points you can swap for generous discounts, you also receive community coins that you can pool with those of other users to support charitable projects.

Benevita challenges

Get actively involved in breast cancer prevention. The Benevita app offers interesting and practical challenges on this topic – from instructions on self-examination to tips for a healthy lifestyle.