Every October, the world unites to observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global initiative aimed at highlighting the prevalence and impact of breast cancer. The World Health Organization reports that “breast cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, with approximately 2.3 million new cases annually. It accounts for one in eight cancer cases across genders and a quarter of all cancers in women, with 70% of deaths occurring in resource-limited settings. The combination of health system barriers, patient-level factors, and low awareness and knowledge levels contribute to the underutilization of early detection services, leading to late-stage diagnoses and poor outcomes.” The journey of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 in collaboration with the American Cancer Society and  Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca). It wasn’t until 1991 that the pink ribbon was adopted as the symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness.  

Awareness, fundraising, and support have made a meaningful contribution to saving countless lives due to research and legislation supporting breast cancer research and treatment.  In the US alone, 134 women per 100,000 and 1.3 men per 100,000 will be diagnosed with breast cancer. According to the CDC, “Compared to women in other racial and ethnic groups, non-Hispanic Black women have the highest breast cancer death rates, and non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islander women have the lowest.”

Despite the increasing rates of breast cancer, the combination of early detection through Mammograms, understanding your family and genetic history, and advanced treatment methods has significantly improved survival rates and prolonged lives.

Explore how you can be a part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check out Secret NYC’s article on 12 Ways To Show Your Support Towards Breast Cancer Awareness Month In NYC and participate in walks and fundraisers throughout NYC via Eventbrite. Search for events in your area to see how you can contribute to the cause in your local community.