Breast Cancer

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      While a pink piece of silk may look like a child’s hair accessory, the pink ribbon has helped to raise awareness and support survivors of breast cancer. It has become the official symbol of October or pink month, a month designated to breast cancer education and prevention. Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates all the way back to 1985 from what started as a week-long collaboration between the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries. Diagnosed with breast cancer during her husband’s Gerald Ford’s presidency, Betty Ford led this event and helped garner even more attention to breast cancer. The earliest goal of this event was to promote mammography as an early detection tool for breast cancer. A mammogram involves using an X Ray to take images of the breast which are then examined for possible tumors. 

      The campaign became international as Estee Lauder, a cosmetics company, handed out 1.5 million pink ribbons thanks to the efforts of Evelyn H. Lauder,who founded the Breast Cancer Campaign. Not long after, Lauder started the Breast Cancer Research foundation, a non profit organization committed to advancing research in breast cancer treatment. “As a Beauty Inspired, Values Driven company, we strive to make meaningful social investments toward issues that matter to our employees, customers, and partners around the world,” commented her son, Estée Lauder Executive Chairman William P. Lauder. Even athletes in  professional sport leagues, such as the NFL, show their support for the cause by proudly wearing the pink ribbon each October.

While the pink ribbon is a step in the right direction, a symbol means nothing without action. Sharing stories of breast cancer survivors and participating in local fundraisers are ways to get involved in the mission year round, not just during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Remind friends and family to get mammograms annually especially women between the ages of 45-54 or those with genetic predisposition to breast cancer. Like with many other diseases, early detection leads to treatment that is more effective. Sharing facts and debunking myths on breast cancer help educate the public on the risks of breast cancer. Alcohol, obesity, family history of breast cancer and hormone therapy are all factors that can increase the risk of breast cancer. While it is most commonly diagnosed in women, 1 out of 833 men in the United States may develop breast cancer (American Cancer Society). Assumptions that only women can get breast cancer are not true so raising awareness among the male community is equally as important. While these actions may seem small , they can have a huge impact on ridding the world of breast cancer, one step at a time. Organizations such The American Cancer Society and National Breast Cancer Foundation are great resources to learn more about the statistics surrounding the disease, find support groups for those currently battling breast cancer, or just to locate events going on to participate in and spread the message.

      Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time for people all over the world to unite and fight under one cause, raising awareness for breast cancer. With more than 2.3 million women diagnosed annually with breast cancer, many of us know or will know someone fighting the tough battle towards remission. 

Worked Cited:

Cbrusatte. “Beyond Pink – More Ways to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness.” Hally Health, 14 Oct. 2020, hally.com/2020/10/beyond-pink-more-ways-to-promote-breast-cancer-awareness.

Dev, Rps. “A Brief History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Brevard Health Alliance, 9 Feb. 2022, brevardhealth.org/blog/a-brief-history-of-breast-cancer-awareness-month/#:%7E:text=Who%20Started%20it%3F,a%20survivor%20of%20breast%20cancer.

Tan-Gillies, Hannah. “#TimeToEndBreastCancer: The Estée Lauder Companies Launches 2021 Breast Cancer Campaign.” The Moodie Davitt Report, 2 Oct. 2021, 

www.moodiedavittreport.com/timetoendbreastcancer-the-estee-lauder-companies-launches-2021-breast-cancer-campaign.