With October winding down, all of us here at Slick Marketers are reflecting on National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Breast cancer has likely affected most of the women we have interacted with, and we think it is incredibly important to recognize and reflect on the month of October for that reason.
Since its humble start in October 1985, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has become one of the most widely celebrated National Awareness Months in history. Over the years, more and more organizations have taken to celebrating, honoring, and spreading awareness for those who have been affected by breast cancer.
Statistics
In the United States alone, 1 in 8 women (about 13%) will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. 3.8 million American women have a history of breast cancer in their families.
Globally, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer, accounting for 12% of diagnoses worldwide. 85% of breast cancer diagnoses occur in women with no history of breast cancer.
The most at-risk populations for breast cancer are older Black women and Ashkenazi Jewish women. The risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman), and age (growing older).
Every year, the statistics for breast cancer fluctuate. Many non-profit organizations and groups work diligently (and especially hard during the month of October) to provide funding to researchers and survivors of breast cancer. To stay informed and updated on these stats, click here.
Support Throughout the Years
In October 1985, the first organized breast cancer awareness event spearheaded by Betty Ford, the 38th First Lady of the United States, took place. Betty, a survivor of breast cancer herself, thought a week-long event to educate and inform the public could open womens’ eyes to the dangers of breast cancer. Encouraging women to take their breast health into their own hands, Betty’s event set off a chain reaction in women that grew as time went on.
Since then, October has been used as a month-long platform for events, rallying, and education. Breast Cancer Awareness Month events and fundraisers help to raise money for research, promote knowledge, and advocate for breast health in both men and women. Most recently, we’ve seen a large uptick in the fundraising and support for breast cancer awareness through the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s program, RISE.
RISE, an acronym for “Rally In Screening/Serving/Supporting Everyone”, is diligently working to collect donations and fundraise as a way to provide women with mammograms and necessary health resources. RISE is also helping to support workers that specialize in serving at-risk populations, and to spread the word through social media platforms.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation is another organization focusing all of its efforts on helping spread breast cancer awareness. By providing active events (runs/walks), and developing a platform for people to tell their own and their loved one’s stories, the Susan G. Komen foundation has raised money for patients, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare providers.
Notably, the American Cancer Society has also worked closely with men to raise awareness for breast cancer. Through their “Real Men Wear Pink” Campaign, the American Cancer Society is calling on men to help raise money and awareness for the cause, ultimately helping to fight breast cancer on another level.
What Can You do to Honor Breast Cancer Awareness Year-Round?
Despite the fact that October is coming to a close, there is no better time than now to get involved in the fight against breast cancer. Starting with a simple google search of the events and campaigns happening around you is always a safe place to start locating events, rallies, charities, and causes that fight breast cancer.
For those who prefer to stay active, be sure to check out the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s “Race for the Cure”. This is a community race (walking and running) that helps to promote awareness and fundraise money for breast cancer research. Click here to learn more.
Similarly, the American Cancer Society holds events across the nation that help people to get involved in fighting breast cancer. To learn more about their mission and goals, click here.
There are countless organizations diligently working to fight breast cancer and promote awareness, screening, and research. Digging through these groups and finding the ones you connect closely with is the best way to go about getting involved.
Just remember, there’s one common goal amongst all of these organizations: to fight, and eventually defeat, breast cancer.
In closing, all of us here at Slick Marketers have been reflecting on the importance and value of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With so many women affected by breast cancer, it is our hope that by raising awareness, we too can help fight and advocate for those afflicted.