# Syphilis prevention efforts in Brazil

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/syphilis-prevention-efforts-in-brazil
> Updated: 2026-10-06T23:33:24.000Z. Sources: 215. Developments: 2.

Brazil has launched the ‘Outubro Verde’ (Green October) campaign to raise awareness about syphilis and its potential for severe complications in the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Health officials are prioritizing the prevention of congenital syphilis by recommending that pregnant women undergo rapid testing at multiple stages of prenatal care and birth.

As the campaign progresses, health authorities have alerted the public to rising infection rates. In the state of Goiás, the detection rate in pregnant women increased from 27.7 cases per thousand live births in 2021 to 43.5 in 2025. By 2026, Goiás recorded 2,613 cases of syphilis in pregnant women, prompting calls for early diagnosis and partner treatment.

In Manaus, authorities reported a 12.1% increase in acquired syphilis cases compared to the previous year’s monthly average. Local governments in Corumbá and Rio das Ostras are also implementing outreach programs, including mobile testing and community education. To combat the spread, local programs are integrating syphilis testing with ‘Outubro Rosa’ (Pink October) initiatives, offering free treatment through the Unified Health System (SUS).

Expanding on these dual efforts, the State Health Secretariat (Sesab) reported 16,207 syphilis cases in 2025. The ongoing ‘Outubro Verde’ campaign continues to emphasize the necessity of immediate treatment to prevent transmission via the placenta or during childbirth. Simultaneously, the ‘Outubro Rosa’ campaign in Campos is focusing on breast cancer prevention through mammograms and self-awareness, addressing what the National Cancer Institute (Inca) identifies as the leading cause of death among women in Brazil.

## Claims

- INCA projects 78,610 new breast cancer cases annually in Brazil for the 2026–2028 triennium. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Dental infections can worsen due to low immunity from chemotherapy and potentially cause endocarditis. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- El Corte Inglés is illuminating 27 of its building facades in pink across Spain and Portugal to support breast cancer research. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- 70% of women aged 20 to 29 diagnosed with breast cancer in the Brazilian public health system are in advanced stages (3 or 4). (single source)
- The State of São Paulo performed 4.8 million mammographies between January 2023 and July 2026. (single source)
- Fear of seeking information and undergoing exams is a major barrier to timely breast cancer diagnosis. (single source)
- 62.7% of diagnoses among women aged 30 to 39 occurred in stages 3 or 4. (single source)
- 54.6% of diagnoses among women aged 40 to 49 occurred in stages 3 or 4. (single source)
- 47.9% of diagnoses among women aged 50 to 69 occurred in stages 3 or 4. (single source)
- Between 5% and 10% of breast cancer cases are hereditary. (single source)
- Between 20% and 25% of mutations responsible for hereditary breast cancer occur in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. (single source)
- Proceeds from a selection of solidarity items sold by El Corte Inglés will fund a research project led by Dr. Ángela Nieto at the Institute of Neurosciences in Alicante. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Pink October initiatives drive global breast cancer awareness

Global Pink October campaigns are driving breast cancer awareness through medical screenings, charity walks, and community events to promote early detection and support patients.

214 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-health-authorities-alert-to-rising-syphilis-rates

### 2026-10-03: Brazil launches Outubro Verde campaign to combat syphilis

Brazil's ‘Outubro Verde’ campaign highlights the importance of early syphilis testing and treatment to prevent severe health complications and transmission to infants during pregnancy.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-launches-outubro-verde-campaign-to-combat-syphilis

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Cite as: Syphilis prevention efforts in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/syphilis-prevention-efforts-in-brazil