October = Breast Cancer Awareness

October can feel different for each of us — some wear pink to celebrate, some quietly observe the month, some feel grief, and some feel unseen or misunderstood. We want to normalize it all. Here’s some history and facts of what you need to know about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs — conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers — aimed at:

• supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer

• educating people about breast cancer risk factors

• stressing the importance of regular screening, starting at age 40 or an age that’s appropriate for your personal breast cancer risk

• fundraising for breast cancer research

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day

October 13 is nationally recognized in the United States as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. About 30% of early-stage breast cancers eventually metastasize (spread to parts of the body away from the breast), and the day is intended to drive awareness of the need for more research about metastatic disease.

Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week

Although breast cancer is much more common in women, breast cancer affects men, too. In 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden designated October 17 to October 23 Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. About 2,710 American men this year are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 530 are expected to die from the disease. But lack of awareness and stigma can be barriers to detection and care.

Some men, trans men, and non-binary people choose to call their cancer chest cancer.

The History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The event began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with Imperial Chemical Industries. It eventually extended to a month-long event. In 1992, the pink ribbon came into play. The original use of ribbons for specific causes dates back to 1979, when "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" inspired Penney Laingen — whose husband was a prisoner of war — to display yellow ribbons as a symbol of hope.

The breast cancer awareness ribbon almost wasn't pink; a grassroots effort by Charlotte Haley began with peach-colored loops. At the same time, Alexandra Penney, Self magazine's Editor-in-Chief, partnered with Evelyn Lauder, Estée Lauder's Senior Corporate Vice President and a breast cancer survivor, to distribute pink ribbons after the magazine’s second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month issue. Because of the incredible reach of the magazine and Estée Lauder brand, pink triumphed over peach, and is now used by breast cancer organizations around the world.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Controversy

Although many people feel supported by the month’s events, activities, and pink merchandise, others — especially those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer — intensely dislike Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The ubiquitous pink ribbons and celebratory atmosphere can seem like a distraction from the very real need for a greater understanding of

the disease and more research leading to better treatments.

Many people are also offended by what’s become known as pinkwashing — companies using pink ribbons to promote products or services that may actually increase the risk of breast cancer, or sponsoring pink-ribbon promotions that raise large sums of money with only a small portion going to breast cancer research or supporting people during their breast cancer treatment. Think Before You Pink is a campaign designed to improve awareness of pinkwashing and to help people donate in the most effective way to the cause.

Learn more about breast cancer

For all its controversy, Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be a good reminder to learn more about breast cancer, the risk factors for you and those you love — and how to minimize them — and the importance of being screened for the disease.

Breast cancer awareness: Statistics

• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.

• Black women are most likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group. Experts believe that it’s partially because about 1 in 5 Black women is diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, more than any other racial or ethnic group.

• About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic mutations that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.

Breast cancer risk factors

Just being a woman and growing older are the two biggest risk factors for breast cancer. Those factors are difficult to change, but you can change other risk factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and not exercising regularly.

Breast cancer screening

Regular breast self-exams, an annual exam by your doctor, and yearly mammograms are important tools in breast cancer detection — especially early detection, when cancers may be more treatable.

Things to do this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• If you delayed your annual mammogram because of COVID-19, schedule your appointment now and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

• Learn more about breast cancer and how it affects people’s lives. Check out podcasts, videos, and medically reviewed educational content to learn more about it.

• Join a community discussion forum to ask questions or connect with others. You can also attend a virtual meetup for support related to your diagnosis or if you are a caretaker for someone who’s been diagnosed.

• Support the work of breast cancer advocacy organizations, and consider making a donation. Millions of people turn to these organizations to make sense of a breast cancer diagnosis.

This information is provided by Breastcancer.org.