Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international health campaign lasting the month of October, is intended to increase global awareness of breast cancer. In several countries the month-long campaign is known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The first organized effort to bring widespread attention to breast cancer occurred as a weeklong event in the United States in October 1985, founded by the American Cancer Society and the Imperial Chemical Industries Pharmaceuticals (later part of AstraZeneca). Since then, campaigns to increase awareness of the disease, to educate people about methods of prevention and early detection, and to raise money to support research have extended to countries around the world. Today, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and medical societies work together to promote breast cancer awareness.
Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. In 2018, more than two million new cases were reported worldwide. Of all regions worldwide, North America has the highest incidence of breast cancer, and, overall, new cases of the disease are diagnosed more frequently in countries in developed regions of the world, such as North America and Europe.
The major international symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the color pink. In the 1990s, the pink ribbon stood as the primary emblem of support. However, the color pink is used in a variety of ways, including on clothing, posters, and internet websites, to demonstrate individual and collective awareness of breast cancer.
More ways to to help raise awareness for Breast Cancer:
- Find a race or walk near you:
https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/attend-events/race-for-the-cure/
- Donate to an organization (see options below):
https://www.komen.org/
https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/breast-cancer-awareness-month
- Reduce your risk of Breast Cancer:
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/prevention.htm
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer-in-men/causes-risks-prevention.html
