'Women in Pink:' Breast cancer awareness day held in Knesset

The events were held on Monday in order to raise awareness of the importance of the early detection and treatment.

From right: Inbar Bezek (Yesh Atid), Keren Barak (Likud),  Yasmin Fridman (Y.A), Sharon Roffe Ofir (Yisrael Beytenu), Shirley Pinto and Idit Silman (Yamina), Meirav Cohen (Y.A), Sharren Haskel (New Hope), Gaby Lasky (Meretz) ,Elina Bardach-Yalov (Y.B), Limor Magen Telem (Y.B), Tania Mazarsky (Y.A) (photo credit: ELYASAF RUBINSTEIN)
From right: Inbar Bezek (Yesh Atid), Keren Barak (Likud), Yasmin Fridman (Y.A), Sharon Roffe Ofir (Yisrael Beytenu), Shirley Pinto and Idit Silman (Yamina), Meirav Cohen (Y.A), Sharren Haskel (New Hope), Gaby Lasky (Meretz) ,Elina Bardach-Yalov (Y.B), Limor Magen Telem (Y.B), Tania Mazarsky (Y.A)
(photo credit: ELYASAF RUBINSTEIN)

An event to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month called "Women in Pink" was held in the Knesset on Monday, in order to raise awareness of the importance of the early detection of breast cancer and improving the options of care for the women who have the disease.

The day was organized by coalition and Knesset Health Committee head MK Idit Silman (Yamina) in honor of her friend Idit Tzirel Lax.

It began with a discussion in the committee between MKs, NGOs, organizations and other public figureheads who spoke about their personal connection to the disease and their treatment of it.

In addition, Silman and a number of NGOs installed a mobile mammography unit in the Knesset concourse and offered tests to eligible MKs, ministers and Knesset workers.

Following the committee discussion, Silman gathered 11 female MKs for a photograph in which they wore pink masks and pink brooches, pink being the color of the struggle against the disease.

"I am happy and excited for bringing the important issue of early detection and improvement of care of breast cancer to the Knesset," she said. 

Chords Bridge in Jerusalem lights up pink for breast cancer awareness month. (credit: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY)
Chords Bridge in Jerusalem lights up pink for breast cancer awareness month. (credit: JERUSALEM MUNICIPALITY)

She pledged to continue acting on the matter, such as by adding an oncology representative to the Healthcare Basket Committee. She concluded with a request that all eligible Israeli women go to be checked as soon as possible.