How to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Learn the meaning behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month and why it’s important. Plus, 25 ways to celebrate, support research, and spread awareness about early detection.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time often marked by pink but carrying a weight far deeper than its color. For millions around the globe, breast cancer isn’t a charitable cause — it’s a deeply personal experience. This month is not only dedicated to honoring those who fight and survive this disease but also to offering education, support, and hope.
For some people, this month carries a personal significance. You might be honoring a lost loved one, celebrating a survivor, or navigating treatment yourself. For others, it’s a chance to learn, get screened, or contribute to research that could change outcomes for future generations.
At its heart, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about connection. It unites people across communities worldwide, committing to spreading information about the importance of early detection, effective treatment, and compassionate support. Here’s a closer look at what Breast Cancer Awareness Month is, how it began, and why it matters today.
What (and when) is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month takes place every October. For 31 days, communities worldwide organize walks, runs, fundraisers, and educational campaigns to raise awareness about the cause. You might notice pink ribbons on jackets or storefronts, and you might even see landmarks lit up in pink. This is all designed to spark conversation and raise visibility around the disease.
Since it’s an annual event, Breast Cancer Awareness Month creates a dedicated time each year to pause, reflect, and take action. Many people schedule their mammograms in October, join fundraising teams, or share their personal stories publicly. In this way, Breast Cancer Awareness Month can serve as an ongoing reminder about the importance of breast health.
The history of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month first began in 1985. It was launched by the American Cancer Society with the goal of encouraging women to get mammograms. At the time, mammography was becoming more widely available and recognized as a crucial tool for catching cancer early, but many women still weren’t getting one. The goal of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was to change that.
What started as a domestic campaign has since grown into a worldwide movement, with many countries around the world adopting October as a month of education, advocacy, and support.
But perhaps most importantly, the campaign helped shift how society talks about breast cancer. While it was initially stigmatized, it’s now openly discussed, with survivors sharing their stories and communities rallying visibly around those in treatment.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month matters
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. After being diagnosed, it’s also an incredibly difficult road to go down: patients need to navigate new treatment, families are adjusting to new realities, and survivors are often building their lives from scratch after battling the disease.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month brings visibility to these experiences, while also fueling research and support systems. Campaigns encourage people to pay attention to their health, raise vital funds, and offer solidarity to those stuck in the thick of treatment.
For many, this month is a reminder that they are seen, supported, and not alone in their journey.
The importance of early detection
One of the strongest messages of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is that early detection saves lives. According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is found at a localized stage (before it spreads), the five-year survival rate is about 99%. That number drops significantly once the cancer advances, which is why early screenings are critical.
There are three main types of early screenings:
Mammograms: These remain the gold standard for spotting breast cancer early, before symptoms appear. For many women, these screenings begin in their early 40s, but recommendations can vary based on personal and family history.
Clinical breast exams: These exams are performed by healthcare providers and can help detect lumps or changes that may require further testing.
Self-led breast exams: These encourage people to know what feels normal for their bodies, allowing them to notice changes and bring them to a doctor’s attention quickly.
How to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 25 ways to get involved
There’s no right way to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the ways that feel best for you are the ones you should stick to.
We’ve provided a wide range of options that you can do solo, with friends, at work, online, or in your neighborhood. Pick some that fit your capacity this month, and if possible, keep one or two going after the month has passed.
Take care of your own screening — and help someone else do the same
1. Book your screening: If you’re due, schedule a mammogram now. Block the time on your calendar and treat it like a non-negotiable meeting. You could also pair it with something pleasant (like lunch or a walk with a friend) so that it feels less like a chore.
2. Invite a buddy: Text one friend and tell them you’ve booked your mammogram. Ask them if they’d like to schedule theirs at the same time, so that the two of you can hang out after. Community helps build consistency.
3. Offer practical help: Drive someone to an appointment, swap childcare, or run an errand during their screening. Be specific with your offers so that they’re more likely to take you up on it.
4. Create a mini screening day: Coordinate with two or three friends to book on the same morning. Share rides, snacks, and reminders. Traveling to and from the appointments can help them feel less nervous.
💙 Help build meaningful relationships during this session on Real Connection with Tamara Levitt.
Support people in treatment with tangible care
5. Start a meal train: Set up a calendar so that friends can sign up to deliver meals to people in treatment. Ask about preferences and allergies, and keep portions small enough to freeze easily. Gift cards for food delivery or grocery stores also help.
6. Offer a rides roster: Treatment is exhausting. Build a small team to cover transportation, such as clinic, pharmacy, or lab runs, so that they never have to stress about how they’re going to get there.
7. Help with the boring stuff: Offer to mow the lawn, fold laundry, walk the dog, or take out the trash. These small acts of care mean a lot when energy levels are low.
8. Assemble comfort kits: Fill a bag with cozy socks, lip balm, fragrance-free lotion, ginger chews, a soft hat, or a water bottle — basically, anything that you think will offer a little relief. Add a handwritten note for an extra touch.
9. Be a steady presence: Send check-in texts often, and don’t feel offended if you don’t get a reply. Just make your presence known, and assure them that you’ll always be there to help.
Related read: Navigating anxiety during breast cancer: 7 tips to cope
Give in ways that make a measurable difference
10. Donate with intention: If you want to donate money, choose reputable nonprofits investing in research, providing patient support, or doing equity work. Consider monthly gifts, employer matching, or donating appreciated stock through a donor-advised fund if you have one.
11. Cover a direct cost: Offer to pay for a co-pay, gas card, parking fees, or childcare during a loved one’s appointment. Small expenses add up fast.
12. Shop thoughtfully: Before buying pink products for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, check to make sure which percentage actually goes to charity, as well as the organization that benefits. If it’s unclear, donate directly instead.
Bring awareness to your workplace or school
13. Pitch a “screening hour” policy: Ask your HR or leadership team to provide paid time off for preventive screenings, and ask them if they’re able to send reminders during the month of October. Framing it as employee wellness can help.
14. Host a lunchtime Q&A: Invite a nurse, survivor, or clinician to talk openly about breast health. Keep it short, casual, and inclusive, so that people feel comfortable attending.
15. Organize a matched fundraiser: Set a collective goal and ask your workplace to match donations if possible. Try to make the process as easy as possible: think one-click giving links and a deadline so that people can act quickly.
16. Create supportive culture cues: Add inclusive language to internal comms (such as saying “people with breasts”), share caregiver resources, and remind teams that opting out of pink events is okay. When you create a culture that’s inclusive and kind, people normally follow suit.
💙 Bring attention to the connection between mindfulness and health with How Can Meditation Be Used With Cancer? session with Dr. Kavita K. Mishra.
Build community events
17. Form a walk or run team: Choose an event, set an achievable fundraising target, and make it social. Coffee after training walks or shared rides to and from the event helps make it fun, and also builds connection.
18. Plan a neighborhood coffee or bake sale: Keep it low-lift so that you’re able to do it easily. Think: one table, ways to pay via mobile, and a poster about early detection basics.
19. Partner with your faith or community group: Host a pink-themed breakfast to raise awareness, a candlelit moment to remember those lost, or a card-writing night for people in treatment.
20. Ask local businesses to round up: Shops can invite customers to round up at checkout for a designated nonprofit during October. It may seem small, but every cent helps.
Related read: 9 benefits of volunteering on your mental and physical health
Use your voice
21. Share a story (but only if you want to): Your lived experience can help others feel less alone. Share what you’re comfortable with, and set boundaries on questions.
22. Post useful reminders: Instead of vague slogans, share specifics. You might share clinics near you that offer screenings or provide accurate statistics about the importance of early detection. Concrete tips help others feel prepared and will make it more likely that they follow through.
23. Advocate for access and equity: Email your representatives about insurance coverage for screening and diagnostic imaging, job protections for medical leave, or funding for community health programs. These steps all matter to bring awareness and make the process easier for those navigating the disease.
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Widen the circle of care
24. Include everyone: Breast cancer doesn’t only affect women: anyone with breast tissue is at risk. Make sure to use inclusive language and share resources that reflect diverse communities.
25. Support equity-focused efforts: Back programs that help reduce the barriers that prevent people from getting help. Some efforts to consider include mobile mammography, translation services, transportation assistance, and outreach in under-resourced neighborhoods.
Related read: What to say to someone with cancer (and what to avoid)
Breast Cancer Awareness Month FAQs
Is there a global Breast Cancer Awareness campaign?
Yes. While the United States initially played a key role in establishing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign has now spread worldwide. Countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia recognize October as a time to raise awareness, encourage screenings, and fund research.
Many nations also host their own signature events, like the UK’s Wear It Pink Day or Australia’s Pink Ribbon Breakfasts. Landmarks across the world, from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building, are also lit up in pink as a visible reminder of solidarity.
What’s the purpose of Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
The central purpose of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is to encourage conversations around breast health and the importance of early detection, while also honoring those affected by breast cancer.
The month amplifies public education campaigns, supports research initiatives, and generates funding for patient services. Beyond the campaigns, it also creates a supportive environment for survivors, caregivers, and those in treatment.
Overall, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is both about prevention and compassion. It equips people with knowledge, while also making sure no one feels alone in their experience.
Why do breast cancer screenings matter?
Screenings are one of the most effective tools for reducing deaths from breast cancer. When the disease is detected early (before it spreads beyond the breast), the five-year survival rate is nearly 99%.
That rate drops significantly as the cancer progresses, which is why timely screening as early as possible is your best line of defence against the disease.
How can I support Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
There’s no right way to support, so it just depends on your comfort level and circumstances. For some, personal action is best, such as scheduling a mammogram or reminding a friend to do the same.
Others may choose to donate to nonprofits, participate in fundraising walks, or volunteer with organizations that provide direct support to patients and families. Even small acts, like wearing a pink ribbon or sharing accurate information on social media, can help normalize the conversations around breast health and spread awareness.
The most important thing is that you choose an action that feels authentic and sustainable for you.
What does the pink ribbon cancer symbol stand for?
The pink ribbon is now one of the most recognizable symbols of breast health advocacy worldwide. It represents hope, solidarity, and the commitment to fighting breast cancer through awareness, research, and community support.
The ribbon initially began as a grassroots movement in the early 1990s and quickly spread, thanks in part to advocacy from organizations and corporate campaigns.
Today, wearing or displaying a pink ribbon is a way to honor survivors, remember those who have passed, and signal support for ongoing efforts to end breast cancer. It carries decades of meaning and serves as a reminder of the collective strength behind the movement.
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