LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). You might have noticed this if you’ve seen an increase in pink products, advertising and clothing, as well as pink ribbons, during your travels. The awareness month, which is also referred to in the United States as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was founded in 1985 in a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca who produces several anti-breast cancer drugs).

The goal of the October awareness campaign was to promote mammography. According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, mammograms are safe and the most effective screening tool used to find breast cancer, especially at the early stages. According to the medical community, women should see their doctors and get regular professional breast exams once they turn 40-years-old.

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In addition to promoting mammograms, BCAM also stresses the importance of self-exams because detecting breast cancer early is the key to longevity and a greater success in fighting the disease.

In 1993, Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate VP of the Estee Lauder Companies founded the National Breast Cancer Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol – although they weren’t the first to use the pink ribbon as a symbol of breast cancer.

Another organization, the National Breast Cancer Foundation, says that the ribbon has become the universal symbol of breast cancer, illustrating the cause, raising awareness and bringing together women in solidarity. Their website says, “From a simple piece of ribbon affixed with a pin, we are able to show our support for loved ones battling breast cancer and our hope for a brighter future.”

In order to prevent more deaths and to detect breast cancer earlier, the pink ribbons and the Breast Cancer Awareness Month are embraced every year by many local and national corporations as well as individuals. Even local, state and professional sports teams have gotten in on the action with athletes wearing pink socks and gloves in recognition of the survivors and those who have passed away in their own families.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation says that October 2023 is more than awareness. They say that for the 31 days of BCAM, pink ribbons will appear as the impact of breast cancer is brought to the forefront of the national conversation – but in order to help those facing breast cancer, awareness alone is not enough. The foundation asks everyone to get involved by getting screened, making a donation and taking action to make a difference.

1 in 8 U.S. women and 1 in 833 U.S. men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Although there is currently no known cure for breast cancer, and its early diagnosis is critical to survival. The American Cancer Society says that breast cancer death rates have decreased steadily since 1989 with an overall decline of 43-percent through 2020.

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According to statistics from the American Cancer Society, approximately 297,790 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed this year – accounting for one in every three diagnoses of cancer in women – and 43,170 women will die from the disease. The statistics also show there will be 2,800 men who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 530 who will die from the disease.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), in 2021, 14.0 percent of deaths from cancer among Michigan women were due to breast cancer. They also estimate that more than 8,900 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the state in 2023 and more than 1,370 people will die of the disease.

Over the years, the deaths of celebrities from breast cancer have also increased the awareness of the disease including actors Kelly Preston, Suzanne Somers, Lynn Redgrave, Bette Davis, and Ingrid Bergman. There are also survivors of breast cancer who are still alive who have or are still fighting the disease including Christina Applegate, Shannen Doherty, Jill Eikenberry, Edie Falco, Kate Jackson, Cynthia Nixon, Wanda Sykes, and Jaclyn Smith.

Early detection of breast cancer increases the effectiveness of available treatment. In Michigan, according to the MDHHS, 53% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at the localized stage. In the United States, 99% of White women and 95% of Black women survived at least five years when diagnosed at the localized stage. 5% of cases are diagnosed at the distant stage with 28% of White women and 20% of Black women surviving five years out from that diagnosis.

Factors that put women at a higher risk of breast cancer include increasing age; personal history of breast or ovarian cancer; family history of breast or ovarian cancer; specific genetic mutations; dense breast tissue; starting menstruation at a young age; never giving birth or having first pregnancy after age 30 and drinking two or more alcoholic drinks a day.

Helping to fight breast cancer in Michigan under the banner of “educate, advocate and eradicate” is the Michigan Breast Cancer Coalition (MiBCC). The coalition “works tirelessly to influence legislation, increase research funding, train advocates, educate the public and advance initiatives nationally, statewide and locally in the fight against breast cancer.”

Also bringing awareness about breast cancer to Michigan is Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer who proclaimed Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the state on October 1st. Saying that breast cancer remains the most common newly diagnosed cancer and second-leading cause of cancer deaths among Michigan women, she asks everyone to “reaffirm our commitment to supporting breast cancer research and to educating all citizens about its risk factors, detection, and treatment, as well as the importance of regular screenings, as early detection increases the effectiveness of available treatments.”

Gov. Whitmer went on to recognize those fighting breast cancer as well as those who have died from the disease by saying, “As we display pink ribbons and wear pink clothing to raise awareness, we also recognize 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.”

Fighting breast cancer is personal for the many families who are involved in the battle and those who have lost loved ones to the disease. Through the month of October, many communities host fundraisers and events including runs and walks across the country and in Michigan. On October 8th, there was a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K run/Walk that took place on Belle Isle with over 4,000 people. Executive Director, Michigan Susan G. Komen, Jaye Sciull, told WXYZ-Detroit that the the mission was simple; raise funds for research, increase access to care, provide support to the community, commit to action.

Dr. Shoshana Hallowell was at the event representing the medical field and also breast cancer survivors. “I never thought that was going to happen to me,” she said. “I’ve literally heard the same sentence a million times over the phone…the pathology is positive…but this time, it was for me. And it was an absolute shock.” Hallowell has some good news though – she says that thanks to technology, screening options have increased and are even more accurate, allowing people to detect their breast cancer earlier to help fight the disease.