Search by Color or Cause
Event Series:
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
October 13, 2028
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
October 13 is nationally recognized in the United States as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day. About 30% of early-stage breast cancers eventually metastasize (spread to parts of the body away from the breast). For this reason, the day is intended to drive awareness of the need for more research about metastatic disease.
Those with metastatic cancer will receive treatment for the rest of their lives. For example, treatments focus on preventing further spread of the disease and managing symptoms. Today, thanks to advances in treatment, there are patients living for many years with metastatic disease. Unfortunately, even if breast cancer is caught in an early stage, metastatic breast cancer can occur again. It can occur years after a person’s original diagnosis and successful treatment. An estimated 20-30% of women diagnosed with an early stage cancer will also go on to be diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
What is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day?
National Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day takes place on October 13. This is during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The aim of MBC Awareness day is to shift the focus of the breast cancer movement onto patients living metastatic breast cancer.
Isolation During October
In October, a month devoted to raising awareness of breast cancer, and making an impact upon thousands of women and men, there is a silent minority who is all too often forgotten. In the landmark 2006 study, Silent Voices, Living Beyond Breast Cancer reported that women with metastatic breast cancer often felt their medical, emotional, physical and financial needs went largely unaddressed. Furthermore, many of these women felt isolated and alone during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They feel Breast Cancer Awareness Month skews heavily toward those newly diagnosed. Or, whose treatment has ended. It focuses more on those who appear, at least on the surface, to be doing well.
MBC Awareness Day aims to have metastatic breast cancer patients needs heard and made a priority. While the general public is aware of this disease, people are oftentimes ignorant of the more uncomfortable facts surrounding metastatic breast cancer. This day sheds light on the harder side of breast cancer .
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October can feel different for each of us. Some wear pink to celebrate, some quietly observe the month, some feel grief, and some feel unseen or misunderstood. Here’s what you need to know about Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease. Breast cancer affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features a number of campaigns and programs. The events are conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers. The objective is to support people diagnosed with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, educate people about breast cancer risk factors, stress the importance of regular screening starting at age 40 or an age that’s appropriate to your unique, personal breast cancer risk, and fundraise for breast cancer research.
