Breast Cancer Awareness Month is recognized each October.
When talking about women’s health, one topic continually comes up – breast cancer – and for good reason. With increased awareness, physicians have been finding and treating breast cancer earlier through improved screening, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer death rates have been decreasing steadily since 1989, for an overall decline of 44% through 2022.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States (besides skin cancers), accounting for nearly 30%, or 1 in 3, of all new female cancers each year, according to the American Cancer Society.
Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast grow out of control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and mainly occurs in middle-aged and older women, with a median age of 62 at diagnosis. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts (tubes that carry milk) and the lobules (glands that produce milk) of the breast.
“One of the most common misconceptions is that all breast cancers are the same. In reality, breast cancer varies significantly from person to person,” said Caroline Koffke, RN, BSN, OCN, Director, Educational and Healthcare Provider Programs at Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC). “Subtype, tumor biology, and specific biomarkers can make each diagnosis unique, leading to very different treatment plans.”
Living Beyond Breast Cancer is a national nonprofit organization that connects people affected by breast cancer with expert information and a community. Through practical resources, real stories, clear information and meaningful connections, the organization helps guide people through diagnosis, treatment and life beyond breast cancer.
There are many different types of breast cancer, and not all types are the same. Each type has its own features, characteristics and health considerations.
“While it’s natural for people to seek support from someone they know who has experienced breast cancer, it’s important to recognize that no two journeys are identical,” said Koffke.
Understanding modifiable risk factors
Advances in technology including 3D mammography, breast MRI, AI-assisted interpretation and other emerging technologies have improved breast cancer detection rates and accuracy. Early diagnosis significantly improves prognosis and long-term survival rates, according to the National Library of Medicine.
“By identifying more cancers earlier, these innovations are giving patients better outcomes and saving lives,” said Koffke.
There is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, but there are lifestyle changes that women (and men) can make that may lower their risk, according to The American Cancer Society.
Risk factors for breast cancer fall into two categories: non-modifiable and modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors include increasing age, personal or family history of breast cancer, and reproductive history – such as age at first menstruation or menopause, according to Koffke.
“Non-modifiable risk factors cannot be changed, but they may warrant earlier or more frequent screening and proactive conversations with a healthcare provider,” said Koffke. “Modifiable risk factors – like maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, limiting alcohol, and avoiding smoking – can be addressed to help reduce risk.”
Yet, 1 in 2 women don’t get their annual breast screenings, missing a crucial opportunity to diagnose and treat the disease early. If diagnosed early, breast cancer patients have a significantly increased survival rate for breast cancer then when it is found in its more advanced stages.
“Living Beyond Breast Cancer participated in the Your Attention Please campaign, which offers tools to help people calculate their risk and prepare for conversations with their providers,” said Koffke.
The Your Attention Please campaign highlighted that everyone has a different breast cancer risk, and that anyone 40 and older should make annual screenings a priority.
For women under age 40, the campaign encourages individuals to understand their risk and decide whether to start their own screening earlier.
“Over the past decade, there has been greater understanding of risk factors, early detection and the importance of personalized care,” said Koffke. “We’ve seen a growing appetite among patients for detailed, accurate information to help them make informed decisions.”
Advocacy and awareness
Advocacy and policy are key to shaping the screening and treatment guidelines for breast cancer care, as well as care access and disease prevention, according to Koffke.
“Many patients now actively participate in advocacy, research panels and clinical trials. At the same time, breast cancer care has become more complex, making reliable information more essential than ever,” said Koffke. “Increased awareness has also fueled greater philanthropic and corporate support, particularly during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a health campaign recognized each October to promote early screening, support those diagnosed with breast cancer and raise money for ongoing disease research.
Public campaigns from a variety of organizations focused on breast cancer have reduced the stigma around the disease and began crucial conversations around breast health, especially in families with a history of the disease.
“Digital platforms have also transformed how people connect – closed Facebook Groups, for example, provide safe, moderated spaces where people share practical tips, emotional support, and encouragement,” said Koffke.
Ongoing research into breast cancer treatment has also been a significant aspect of breast cancer advocacy and policy advancement.
“The pace of research and innovation is remarkable. Each year at major conferences like the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), we see new treatments, imaging tools and prevention strategies coming to light,” said Koffke.
Koffke says that people across the nation can help get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating, volunteering, sharing resources, or advocating for legislation that impacts the breast cancer community.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer’s 2025 Breast Cancer awareness campaign is centered around ‘connection through stories,’ specifically with the My Why campaign that invites people living with breast cancer, caregivers, healthcare providers and advocates to share the reasons they preserve, care, give and advocate.
Living Beyond Breast Cancer also shares clear and accessible information about breast health and risk factors, and the ability to donate, volunteer and raise awareness throughout the year.
Koffke expresses that “breakthroughs in research, paired with a more engaged and informed patient community, give us tremendous hope for a future with better outcomes and more personalized care for everyone diagnosed with breast cancer.”