Every October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month gives breast cancer charities and medical groups a platform for awareness campaigns, fundraising opportunities and support groups; it also reminds women across the country of the value of early detection and the importance of breast exams. While begun as an initiative in the United Sates, the easily identifiable "pink ribbon" has become a worldwide symbol for breast cancer awareness and increased opportunities for national dialog about the disease.
Created in 1985 by members of several groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and Cancer Care, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is rooted in the desire to educate women and improve national dialog on the disease. The movement now has the backing of many national public service groups and government agencies, which work together to bring breast cancer awareness and education to women.
There are many events held in conjunction with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In the United States, there are many walk-a-thons associated with the campaign, including the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, the Komen Race for the Cure and the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
The movement has also spread internationally. The Canadian Cancer Society's Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer and the U.K.'s Wear It Pink ribbon campaign in the U.K. are raising breast cancer awareness in their respective countries. In Australia, the National Breast Cancer Foundation organizes Pink Ribbon Breakfasts throughout the country. As is the case in the U.S., such events are held to connect regular men and women with educational resources, medical advances and myth-busting information on breast cancer. Many of these organizations also use National Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities to facilitate annual fundraising.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women, second only to skin cancer. In the United States, there are estimated to be around 200,000 women affected with this disease and just under 500 men. The survival statistics are very high for those that detect the disease early, and drop significantly with later diagnosis.
While October is the high point of activity, communication initiatives and programs' success now allows National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to keep women aware throughout the year-round.
 | October holidays include Columbus Day, sometimes called Indigenous People's Day, and Halloween, which gives adults and kids a chance to dress up. |
 | Oktoberfest, a 16-day festival held in Munich, Germany every October, features fun-loving Germans drinking hearty local beer, dancing and eating rich traditional Oktoberfest food. Whether the festivities are large or more intimate, the food for Oktoberfest remains the same, and this simple and hearty fare is easy to prepare. |
 | Any lover of beer and German culture should experience a traditional Oktoberfest in Germany. Although Oktoberfest celebrations are held all over the world, these festivities have been modernized, and nothing beats experiencing the beer, brats and fun as they were meant to be. |
Learn why you get a day off from work or school with this brief history of Columbus Day. |
Impress your beer-drinking buddies with a little knowledge of the history of Oktoberfest. |
