Andrea Johnson, aj248@uakron.edu
While the month of October is commonly known for being the peak of fall and Halloween festivities, there is a special awareness within October that deserves all the attention and support as any other national holiday. Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time for everyone to come together and spread awareness of the devastating disease and all its effects. Breast cancer is a disease which is malignant also known as cancer in which cells grow uncontrollably in tissues of the breast. In October everyone is encouraged to wear pink ribbons. The universal symbol of breast cancer. People battling with breast cancer perceive the general public popularized the month but overlooked the personal experience of those inflicted with the disease. In 2024, more than 360,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer. With hope and support, advancements in early detection methods will increase the chances of survival. Understanding the goals behind this global campaign, and the emotions felt by the many different people living with the disease may help you decide if and how you want to honor the month.
What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Breast cancer awareness month is an international health campaign that is held every October. October aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease which affects 2.3 million women worldwide. October features a number of campaigns and programs conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations, local community organizations, and major retailers. These companies support people diagnosed with breast cancer by educating and encouraging women to schedule earlier breast cancer screening. Further, these companies assist with fundraising for breast cancer research. Within the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, there are also specific dates designed to raise awareness of specific groups within the breast cancer community.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day - October 13
October 13th is national holiday to recognize Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Metastatic breast cancer is stage four breast cancer to which cancer has spread or metastasized to different organs or lymph nodes far from the breast. The most common areas of the body that are affected are the brain, bones, liver and lungs. Researchers estimated about 30% of early-stage breast cancers eventually metastasize. This led to providing education to the public for the need of money to undergo the study of metastatic breast cancer.
Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week (October 17–23)
While breast cancer is commonly diagnosed amongst women, men are diagnosed with breast cancer as well. Both male and female are born with breast cells and tissue. Males do not develop milk producing breast; however, breast cells and tissue can still develop cancer. The development of male breast cancer cells is rare and the typical age range for male breast cancer diagnosis is between 60 and 70. The resulting average age of male breast cancer diagnosis is 67. Although it’s rare, men do carry a higher breast cancer mortality rate than women; primarily because men are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer. Overall Men are less aware of breast cancer which can cause delay in seeking treatment. Men should be familiar with how their breast tissue typically looks and feels so they can detect any changes in the tissue. Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week is set to highlight and encourage early detection, raise awareness about the risk and prevalence of breast cancer and is a time to support and encourage breast cancer patients in survivors.
The Pink Ribbon Origin Story
In the early 1990s, a woman named Charlotte Haley was a granddaughter, sister, and mother of women who had to battle breast cancer. She began making peach colored ribbons with a card that read; “The National Cancer Institute annual budget is $1.8 billion, only 5 percent goes for cancer prevention. Help us wake up our legislators and America by wearing this ribbon.” Haley’s main purpose for these ribbons was to raise awareness about the lack of funding for cancer prevention research. Haley’s message would soon become noticed and she would be asked by corporations such as SELF and Estée Lauder and media outlets to video record and publicize her ribbon and message. However, Haley declined and in 1991 SELF magazine was determined to spread awareness. Self’s lawyer insisted that the change the color of the ribbon and the color pink was born. The pink ribbon became a national symbol and federal funding for breast cancer research increased.
Shades of Pink
Breast Cancer ribbons come in a variety of colors:
Hot pink for inflammatory breast cancer
Teal and pink for both hereditary and gynecologic cancers.
Pink and blue for male breast cancer.
Teal, pink, and green for metastatic breast cancer.
In addition to Breast Cancer Awareness Month, another amazing fact is breast cancer organizations across the world have created and trademarked their own pink ribbon!
Pink is not simply a color. It symbolizes our fight against breast cancer, raises awareness and money and serves as a reminder of the importance of scheduling early screening. So put on those pink ribbons and think pink!
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