For nearly four decades now, the country has recognized October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time annually devoted to educating everyone about breast cancer — including metastatic breast cancer (MBC) — and the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care.
No matter who you are or where you live, breast cancer may touch your life. It’s necessary to understand the warning signs of breast cancer, your risk of breast cancer and what’s normal for you so you can take action if there are any changes in your breasts or underarm areas.
Since 1989, Susan G. Komen has helped drive down mortality rates from breast cancer thanks to our focus on early detection and improvements in treatment. However, our work is far from done.
Through research, growing knowledge about breast cancer has led to new therapies and targeted treatments that improved outcomes for many people. It is research that brings hope to people facing this disease, especially those living with MBC. We need to ensure more treatment options are available for all people facing breast cancer, especially when treatments stop working.
That’s why Susan G. Komen encourages you to dedicate this October as a time of action — both for yourself and others.
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s one person every 2 minutes in the U.S.
The two most common risk factors of breast cancer are being born female and getting older.
In 2022, it is estimated that nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. will die from breast cancer.
Know Your Risk
Knowing your family history is lifesaving. Talk to a doctor about your family history and see how that history impacts your risk of breast cancer. You and your doctor can create a personalized plan to monitor for signs of the disease.
Get Screened
For those at average risk, have a mammogram every year starting at age 40. If you have any signs of breast cancer, finding it early and treating it early may save your life.
Know Your Normal
It’s important to know what’s normal for you so you can talk with your health care provider if something doesn’t look or feel right.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Living a healthy lifestyle is within your control and may lower your risk of breast cancer. Maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol intake and exercise regularly. It all matters when it comes to your overall health and risk of disease.
Take Action
There are many ways you can join our fight to save lives. Whether it’s by supporting one of our generous corporate partners; becoming an Advocacy Insider; fundraising through the Race for the Cure, MORE THAN PINK Walk or our Komen 3-Day; participating in a fundraising challenge on Facebook or creating a fundraiser of your own that is meaningful to you, your support can help us take action to invest in research and help those facing breast cancer today.
Need Help?
Breast cancer can bring questions you never expected to have — and moments when you simply need someone to listen. Komen’s Patient Care Center’s Breast Care Helpline connects you with trained, caring staff who are here to listen, answer questions and help you find the information, resources and support you need. Call 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m. ET, and Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, or email helpline@komen.org. Se habla Español.
Need Help?
1-877-GO KOMEN (877-465-6636) | helpline@komen.org
Komen’s Breast Cancer 101 is a trusted, easy-to-navigate resource for you to learn about all things breast cancer – from risk factors and screening to diagnosis, treatment and more. Access short, easy-to-understand videos that you can watch at your own pace in any order you like.
Begin Learning in English
Begin learning in Spanish
Early detection and effective treatment are critical to reducing breast cancer deaths. Together, we can end breast cancer by supporting those in need today while tirelessly searching for tomorrow’s cures.