Every October, the world turns pink; It is covered on screens and in the facades of institutions, and breast cancer awareness campaigns are launched in dozens of countries.
The scene may seem like a familiar annual tradition, but behind the pink color and ribbon is a more important message: knowing the signs of the disease, paying attention to risk factors, and not delaying seeking medical care, because the timing of diagnosis may make a big difference in the treatment journey and chances of survival.
Thus, “Pink October” became more than a month for awareness of the disease; It’s an annual reminder that taking care of your health, and accessing timely diagnosis and treatment, can give millions of women a better chance at life.
How did Pink October start?
The beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates back to 1985, when the American Cancer Society participated in launching an awareness campaign that began for a week and focused on educating women about early detection and mammography, before the initiative expanded over the years and turned into a full awareness month.
October was not chosen because breast cancer increases during that month, or because the disease is biologically linked to this month, but rather because the campaign began in that month, and then it gradually turned into a global date to talk about breast cancer, encourage early detection, and support those affected and survivors.
The pink ribbon, which has become the most famous symbol of the campaign, began to spread widely in the early 1990s, before turning into a global symbol of breast cancer awareness.
2.4 million infections in a year
Despite significant advances in diagnosis and treatment, breast cancer remains one of the greatest health challenges for women in the world.
The latest World Health Organization data indicates that about 2.4 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer globally during the year 2024, and about 694,000 women will die from it. Breast cancer was the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in women in 164 out of 186 countries.
But the burden of disease is not measured by the number of infections and deaths alone; The place where a woman lives may greatly affect her chances of accessing diagnosis and treatment, and thus her chances of survival.
World Health Organization data reveals a large gap in chances of survival. For every 100 women diagnosed with breast cancer, about 87 women are alive after five years in high-income countries, compared to only about 42 women in low-income countries, while the global average is about 78 women out of every 100.
This gap is linked to several factors, including the delay in discovering the disease, the difficulty of accessing effective diagnostics and treatments, and the disparity in the quality of health care between countries.
It is important here to understand the meaning of “five-year survival,” as this statistical indicator does not mean that the patient will live only five years, but rather measures the percentage of women who remain alive five years after diagnosis, and is used to compare the results of diagnosis and treatment between large groups of patients and countries.
A breast cancer patient may live for decades after diagnosis, depending on the stage of the disease, the type of tumor, its biological characteristics, response to treatment, and access to appropriate care.
The infection does not require a family history
It is a common mistake to believe that breast cancer mainly affects women who have a family history of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, about 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women who have no specific modifiable risk factor other than being female and advanced age. Most women who are diagnosed with the disease have no known family history of it.
This does not mean that other risk factors are not important; The high risk of infection is also linked to obesity, alcohol abuse, previous exposure to radiation, some factors related to reproductive history, smoking, and hormone treatment after menopause, in addition to family history and some genetic mutations.
Early detection makes a difference
The stage of the disease when diagnosed is one of the most important factors affecting the chances of survival.
Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute in the United States show that the five-year relative survival rate is 100% when breast cancer is localized and has not spread outside the breast, and decreases to 87.5% when it extends to lymph nodes or nearby tissues, and to 33.8% when it spreads to distant organs, according to data for the period 2016-2022.
These numbers do not mean that it is possible to predict the fate of a particular patient, as they are statistics for large groups, while the condition of each patient varies depending on the type of tumor, its stage, characteristics, age, health condition, and response to treatment.
But it shows why early diagnosis and rapid access to treatment are crucial to the fight against breast cancer.
What to know after diagnosis?
Not all breast tumors are the same, as each tumor has biological characteristics that help doctors understand its nature and choose the most appropriate treatment. Among the most important of these characteristics are the estrogen and progesterone receptors, in addition to the “HER2” protein, as the results of these tests contribute to determining the extent to which the patient will benefit from hormonal therapy or targeted therapies, in addition to other options that may include chemotherapy or immunotherapy depending on the type and stage of the tumor.
The treatment plan does not proceed in the same order for all patients. In some cases, it is better to begin treatment before surgery in order to reduce the size of the tumor and improve the chances of eradicating it, while in other cases, surgery can be performed first. The decision is determined according to the size of the tumor, its extent of spread, its biological characteristics, and the general condition of the patient.
Some tests that analyze the activity of a group of genes within the tumor may, in specific cases, help estimate the likelihood of the cancer coming back and help make more accurate treatment decisions, such as determining the need for certain types of treatment. But these tests are not suitable for all cases, and the doctor decides to use them according to the type, stage and characteristics of the tumor.
Fertility is an important aspect that should be discussed before starting treatment in women of childbearing age, as some types of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy may affect the ability to conceive. Therefore, if the patient desires to become pregnant in the future, it is important to discuss fertility preservation options with the treating team before starting treatment whenever possible.
The goal of treatment also varies depending on the stage of the disease. In many cases where breast cancer is localized or treatable, the goal is to cure and reduce the possibility of the disease returning. When the cancer has spread to distant organs, treatment usually focuses on controlling the disease for as long as possible, prolonging life, reducing symptoms, and maintaining quality of life.
A message to every woman
Pink October shouldn’t just be a month for pink banners or ribbons. The most important message is to know your body and pay attention to any unusual change, and not to delay consulting a doctor when a worrying sign appears.
Signs that require medical evaluation may include the appearance of a lump or increase in thickness in part of the breast, a change in its size or shape, changes in the skin or nipple, or abnormal or bloody discharge from it.
Paying attention to these signs does not mean fearing the disease, but rather giving yourself the opportunity to reach diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner.
Give your health as much time and attention as you give to those you love. Behind every timely examination and every consultation that is not postponed, there may be a better chance for treatment and life.
Therefore, perhaps the true meaning of Pink October is simpler than all slogans: awareness is not a fear of cancer, but a step to protect life.