MIAMI – Two years ago, the AC Camargo Cancer Center had a vandal target graffiti writers' nude art to encourage women to get mammograms.
Without a cure for breast cancer, most women -- who are diagnosed with an advanced stage or have a genetic mutation that increases their predisposition -- are forced to surgically remove one breast with mastectomy surgery or both breast with a bilateral mastectomy.
Recommended Videos
"It's about spreading a message ... on walls for all women," Graffiti writer Lais Da Lamah said. "This is a real problem and it can happen to anyone, so they have to prevent it."
J. Walter Thompson, an international advertising agency headquartered in New York, came up with the guerrilla marketing tactic to educate the public.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Breast Cancer Awareness events and more
"The Pink League" graffiti crew first hit Sao Paulo with their "Paint Against Cancer" awareness campaign, but since then others have replicated their campaign in London, Buenos Aires and other cities around the world.
First they said they scouted the city for depictions of female breast. They created customized paste up posters to simulate the effect of losing a breast and being left with a scar. And then, they hijacked the graffiti with their message.
"Any woman can be a victim of breast cancer. Go for a breast exam before its too late."
Follow Local10.com reporter on Twitter @MiamiCrime
Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10
35618606