2024 marks the 39th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which runs throughout October.
The first Breast Cancer Awareness Month took place in 1985. Initially, it was an initiative across the United States called National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is still referred to as such in the country today.
The founding of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month resulted from a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries, a British pharmaceutical company now part of AstraZeneca.
The aims of Breast Cancer Awareness Month are twofold:
Breast Cancer Awareness Month also promotes information and support sources for breast cancer patients and their loved ones.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a global campaign, cancer charities organise activities and events throughout October. Typical initiatives include sponsored walks or runs, while sports leagues, including the NFL, also mark the month. Many businesses also get involved by raising money in partnership with a chosen cancer charity.
According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second most common cancer overall. The WCRF says over two and a quarter million women received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2022.
The charity Breastcancer.org says that in the United States alone:
Male breast cancer is often overlooked as it is rare. It accounts for fewer than 1% of all global breast cancer diagnoses and all worldwide cancer diagnoses among men. In contrast to women, who in the United States have a lifetime risk of around 1 in 8 of ever developing invasive breast cancer, the equivalent risk for men is quoted in various studies and reports as between 1 in 700 and 1 in 1,000.
However, since 2009, the third week of October has been adopted as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week.
The symptoms of breast cancer in men are generally similar to those for women, which we detail below. The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has a specific guide to male breast cancer on its website.
The two most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being female and over 50, which is why many countries promote mammography screening for women once they reach this age. While most global health authorities use age when advising on risk factors, the WCRF uses the term postmenopausal.
The WCRF says there is “strong evidence” that the following additional risk factors increase the risk of postmenopausal women developing breast cancer:
Despite highlighting these factors, the WCRF does not presently specify a specific height or birthweight at or beyond which risk increases.
The WCRF also found that regular vigorous physical activity and, as counterintuitive as it may seem, being overweight or obese before menopause were potential preventions against breast cancer. However, despite the body fat finding, the WCRF states maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important preventative factors and highlights that women whose weight is in the "healthy range" have the best outcomes post-diagnosis.
If you're a woman, understanding how to check your breasts can be crucial in finding any changes and notifying your doctor of the need for a check-up.
While there is no right or wrong way to check your breasts, two of the most commonly suggested means of doing so are:
To be able to identify changes, you first need to know what's "normal" for you. For example, one of your breasts may be slightly larger than the other, or your breasts may feel tender and lumpier during your menstrual cycle. Post-menopause, your breasts may feel softer and less firm, too.
By knowing what's "normal" for you, you can be more vigilant about the changes to look for.
Once you're happy you know your breasts, you should see your doctor if you notice any of the following changes outside of your menstrual cycle:
There are many ways to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024. Even something that feels small, like donating a small amount to buy and wear a pink ribbon, can make a significant difference. How many people might see your ribbon on your jacket and be inspired to buy their own or look up what the pink ribbon means? What if that leads to someone checking themselves or visiting a doctor where breast cancer is caught and treated early?
Search for prominent cancer charities in your country, and identify the events taking place this year that you can get involved in.
You can also encourage your employer to get involved! Here at Now Health International, we’re encouraging all our team members to change their email signatures to pink, to wear pink in the first week of October and on 24th October, our internal worldwide “Wear it Pink” day, and to donate to a local breast cancer awareness charity if they can.
On a personal level, take the time to review things like your health insurance, check your cancer coverage, and consider changing your coverage and benefits if you'd be happier with added peace of mind.