It’s been nearly 40 years since the American Cancer Society established October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Beyond the pink ribbons and memorable slogans, it’s proved to be a campaign that has served—and continues to serve—a crucial role by encouraging early detection, raising funds for research, and reducing the stigma associated with breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates the disease will affect close to 300,000 women in 2023.
Much of the success of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes from the traction the campaign gained with charities, healthcare professionals, and women’s organizations, not just in the United States but also around the entire world. The Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Health Initiative, and Bright Pink, among many others, have participated in spreading awareness and raising money for research every October.
Thanks to these efforts, early detection and improved screening practices have led to higher detection rates. The American Cancer Society estimates that the number of women ages 50 and older who get mammograms at least once every two years has more than doubled since the 1980s.
Survival rates have also improved, with the National Breast Cancer Foundation reporting that the five-year relative survival rate for all types and stages combined is 91 percent in the United States. This is thanks in large part to the development of health care like surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormonal therapies, all of which have better outcomes and improved quality of life during treatment.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month has also created a culture that encourages survivorship care, with women who have battled (or are battling) breast cancer having access to programs, clinics, and other resources that address the emotional and psychosocial needs they have because of this illness.
Women can be vigilant about breast cancer by performing regular self-examinations to detect any changes or abnormalities, but health experts emphasize that self-examination is not a substitute for mammograms or clinical breast exams. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that women ages 50–74 get a mammogram every two years, though women ages 40–49 should talk to their doctor about specific recommendations based on their personal risk factors.
For resources or to find a fundraiser happening this October, go online to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (nationalbreastcancer.org), the Komen Foundation (komen.org), or BreastCancer.org.
