October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! This national campaign calls attention to the fact that breast cancer is the most common cancer in women (except for skin cancers) in the United States. It also promotes awareness, education, screening and fundraising, as well as the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care.
People of every country, gender, race, ethnic group, and income level are affected by breast cancer.
Last week, the American Cancer Society (ACS) released Breast Cancer Statistics, 2024, the organization’s biennial update on breast cancer occurrence and trends in the United States. Notably, more than 310,000 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year – over 8,000 in Michigan alone. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. For non-Hispanic Black women and Hispanic women, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death.
Advancements in early detection methods and support continue to increase the chances of survival. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate of breast cancer is 99%. Despite a continuous decline in the rate of breast cancer deaths in the United States, the incidence of the disease has increased, especially among younger ages, and significant racial disparities remain. These important findings are published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, alongside its consumer-friendly companion, Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2024, available on cancer.org.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month can mean different things to different people. For some, it’s a trigger — 31 days in the fall of pink-ribbon reminders of a disease that forever changed them. For others, it’s a chance to show their support for the more than 2 million women around the world who are diagnosed with the disease each year.
For Shades of Pink Foundation (SOPF), October is a month to galvanize around our mission: To reduce financial stress for those undergoing breast cancer treatment in Southeast Michigan by providing prompt funding for daily living expenses.
As we display pink ribbons and wear pink clothing to raise awareness, SOPF also recognizes more than 3.8 million breast cancer survivors, those currently battling the disease, and their families and friends who are a tireless source of love and encouragement. We commend the efforts of our medical professionals and researchers working to find a cure for this deadly disease, and we honor the lives lost to breast cancer.
SOPF is thrilled to partner with local schools, teams, municipalities, and businesses who are raising funds and recognition on our behalf by holding innovative community fundraisers during the month of October. Funding stays local and benefits individuals and families in nine counties across Southeast Michigan as they navigate the devastating costs of a breast cancer diagnosis. Visit 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month to learn how you can make a meaningful difference by supporting these community partnerships.
On behalf of our entire organization and those we serve, thank you for your continued support in October and throughout the year.
