How to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

Co-authored by Joshua Ellenhorn, MD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: April 3, 2022 References

All over the world, breast cancer is a heartbreaking reality that countless people have to cope with. In America alone, women receive this life-shattering diagnosis once every 2 minutes, totaling over 330,000 diagnoses each year.^{[1]
X
Research source} As widespread as this disease may seem, there’s still plenty you can do to help, especially during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Keep reading for plenty of tips and suggestions on how to do your part—even the smallest act of kindness can bring us one step closer to a cure!

1

Post on social media.

Let everyone know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pull up your go-to social media app and type out a post about why breast cancer awareness is so important.^{[2]
X
Research source} Explain how American women have a 12% chance of developing breast cancer at some point in their life, and how good lifestyle choices like exercising frequently, maintaining a healthy weight, and cutting back on alcohol can make a difference.^{[3]
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Research source}^{[4]
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Expert Source

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD
Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.} You can even share pre-made graphics from groups like:
- Breast Cancer Now: https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/check-your-breasts/learn-signs-breast-cancer
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/buttons.htm

2

Wear pink or a pink ribbon.

The classic pink ribbon represents breast cancer awareness all over the world. Pin a piece of pink ribbon to show your solidarity for people affected by breast cancer. If you don’t have any ribbons at home, feel free to show your support by dressing in pink.^{[5]
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- Feel free to make ribbons for your friends, family members, and co-workers! All you need is a 3 in (7.6 cm) section of pink ribbon and a small safety pin.^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
- Stick a pink ribbon-style bumper sticker somewhere on your car to spread awareness to other drivers on the road.

3

Volunteer to help breast cancer patients.

The smallest gesture can make a big difference. Many well-known charities offer lots of different volunteering opportunities, like driving patients to their appointments, volunteering at charity events, advocating for certain legislation, and more.^{[7]
X
Research source} Here are few organizations with volunteer opportunities:
- American Cancer Society: https://volunteercommunity.cancer.org/s/?language=en_US
- Susan G. Komen: https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/volunteer/
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: https://www.lbbc.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer
- National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF): https://timecounts.org/nbcf

4

Sign up for a charity sporting event.

Charity sports are a great way to raise awareness with a bigger group. Charity bike rides, runs, and walks are all excellent ways to break a sweat for a good cause. Some charities even host thrill-seeking events, like skydiving and zip-lining.^{[8]
X
Research source} Here are a few different events to choose from:
- American Cancer Society: Walk/Run Events^{[9]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  American Cancer Society
  Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
  Go to source}
- Susan G. Komen: MORE THAN PINK Walk® and Race for the Cure®^{[10]
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  Research source}
- Breast Cancer Now: Pink Ribbon Walks, Great North Run, and Big Pink Jump October^{[11]
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  Research source}

5

Donate to a well-respected charity.

Be sure to research the charity before donating any money. Unfortunately, not all charities are created equally. Charity Navigator, a nonprofit charity reviewer, ranks a variety of charities based on different factors, like how much of their money actually goes to the cause in question. Thankfully, lots of breast cancer charities have received 4 out of 4 stars, including the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Breastcancer.org, National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Alliance, Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, and Casting for Recovery.^{[12]
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- Steer clear of charities with lower ratings, like Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.^{[13]
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6

Host a fundraiser.

Work with a charity to raise money for breast cancer research. Some well-known organizations, like the National Breast Cancer Foundation and Susan G. Komen let you choose your own fundraiser. The sky’s the limit—you might set up a movie night for your friends and family, or even host a sports tournament for your local community.^{[14]
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Research source} Here are a few charities that can help you get started:
- Susan G. Komen: https://www.komen.org/how-to-help/donate/fundraise/
- National Breast Cancer Foundation: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-fundraising
- American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/diy-fundraising.html

7

Collect donations online.

Not everyone will have time to make it out to a fundraising event. That’s where virtual fundraisers come in handy! With this type of event, people from all over the world can support the cause from their phones or computers. Here are a few ideas to get you going:^{[15]
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- Ask friends and relatives to sponsor you in an athletic challenge
- Request donations instead of birthday or holiday gifts
- Set up a charity stream on a streaming site
- Host a virtual charity event on social media or Zoom

8

Put up posters around your community.

The CDC has premade posters that stress the importance of mammograms. Feel free to download these graphics on large, 18 by 24 in (46 by 61 cm) posters or on smaller, 8.5 by 11 in (22 by 28 cm) sheets. These posters are an easy, effective way to spread awareness, and share messages like:^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- “Haven’t had a mammogram? This is what you could be missing.”
- “My Secret to a Longer Life? Mammograms?”
- Download the CDC’s posters here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/resources/print.htm
- Ask some local businesses if you can hang up posters there. Places like dry cleaners, cafes, bodegas, real-estate businesses, take-out restaurants, boutiques, and salons are all great places to start.^{[17]
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- Regular mammograms allow healthcare professionals to diagnose breast cancer early on.^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Joshua Ellenhorn, MD
  Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
  Expert Interview. 28 April 2020.}

9

Share a breast cancer story with the NBCF.

The NBCF may post your story on their social media accounts. Visit the official NBCF website and write about your or your loved one’s experience with breast cancer. Attach a picture of the person along with your story. Then, keep an eye on NBCF’s social media accounts to see if your picture and story show up!^{[19]
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- Feel free to submit your story here: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/stories-of-hope/
- You can find NBCF on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Their social media profiles are linked at the bottom of their website.

10

Send a helpful quiz to your friends.

The NBCF has an “eBook quiz” that sets you up with useful resources. The quiz doesn’t take very long at all—it just asks for your name, email, gender, age, and some other basic info. At the end of the quiz, the organization will email you free informational materials to help you stay on top of your breast health.^{[20]
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Research source} You can find the quiz here: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month
- Send your friend a message like, “Hey Julia! Hope you’re doing well. Since it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I just wanted to send over this short quiz that hooks you up with some free, informational eBooks about breast cancer and breast health.”

11

Encourage your friends and loved ones to get screened.

Share the different risks of breast cancer. Explain that certain factors, like being a woman, being over 40, having a family history of breast cancer, and having specific gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 may increase your risk. Let them know what they can do to reduce their chances of developing breast cancer, like staying healthy, exercising, drinking less alcohol, avoiding hormone replacement therapy, and breastfeeding their children.^{[21]
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Trustworthy Source
University of California San Francisco Health Center
Research hospital associated with UCSF, a leading medical university, providing innovative patient care and public health resources
Go to source} You can also mention the importance of:^{[22]
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Trustworthy Source
American Cancer Society
Nonprofit devoted to promoting cancer research, education, and support
Go to source}
- Regular self-exams
- Mammograms
- Screening tests

Expert Q&A

Question

When should you get your first mammogram?

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD
Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Joshua Ellenhorn, MD, is a board certified surgeon with advanced training in the fields of surgical oncology, minimally invasive surgery, and robotic surgery. He runs a private practice at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California and is a nationally recognized leader in surgery, cancer research, and surgical education. Dr. Ellenhorn has trained more than 60 surgical oncologists and has spent over 18 years in practice at the City of Hope National Medical Center, where he was a professor and the chief of the Division of General and Oncologic Surgery. Dr. Ellenhorn performs the following surgical procedures: gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, colorectal cancer, skin cancer and melanoma, gastric cancer, and pancreatic cancer. He earned an MD from the Boston University School of Medicine, completed fellowships at the University of Chicago and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and finished his residency in surgery at the University of Cincinnati.

Joshua Ellenhorn, MD

Board Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist

Expert Answer

Women should generally start getting yearly mammograms once they turn 40. If you have an increased risk for breast cancer, your doctor might suggest getting mammograms sooner or more frequently.