Event Series: World Breast Cancer Research Day

World Breast Cancer Research Day

Name: World Breast Cancer Research Day
Start: 2026-08-18T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-08-18T23:59:59-05:00

August 18, 2026

World Breast Cancer Research Day

World Breast Cancer Research Day is an opportunity to amplify the importance of finding a cure for breast cancer. The world does a fantastic job of showcasing breast cancer advocacy and research during the month of October. World Breast Cancer Research Day is an attempt to show the breast cancer community that they are supported beyond that.

Both women and men can have breast cancer. On World Breast Cancer Day, we are committed to finding a cure for everyone impacted by the disease. This is regardless of gender. To show the impact of breast cancer, the 18th day of the 8th month of the year reflects that 1 in 8 women (and 1 in 833 men) will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes.

Breast cancer advocacy and research is highlighted significantly in the month of October. However, the fight against the disease needs to continue throughout the rest of the year. Wear a pink ribbon to raise awareness about the statistics of breast cancer. Our site also offers personalized pink enamel pins that can be engraved with a name, date, or message. This helps to reinforce the message of World Breast Cancer Research Day.

1 in 8 Women Will Develop Invasive Breast Cancer in Their Lifetime

Thirteen percent of U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer. This is according to worldbreastcancerresearchday.org. 85% of the diagnoses occurring in women are those with no family history of breast cancer.

August 18 is World Breast Cancer Research Day, designated as such in 2021 with the primary aim to recognize the research to end the disease on a global level. This day not only aims to spread awareness about this leading type of cancer in women but also to spread the word about the research being done to screen and detect breast cancer, along with finding long-term solutions to it.

What Is A Breast Self-Exam? Learn More During World Breast Cancer Research Day

A breast self-exam is an early detection tool that uses a combination of physical and visual examinations of the breasts to check for signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The purpose of a breast self-exam is to become familiar with the way your breasts normally look and feel. Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, also called breast self-awareness, will help you identify any changes or abnormalities in your breasts. This includes, for example, a new lump or skin changes. Any changes in your breasts discovered during a breast self-exam should be reported to your healthcare provider right away.

While a breast self-exam is a useful tool for the early detection of breast cancer, it should not take the place of regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.

How Often Should A Breast Self-Exam Be Performed? Raise Awareness on World Brest Cancer Research Day

Adult women of all ages are encouraged to perform breast self-exams at least once a month. Lillie D. Shockney, Johns Hopkins University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer states, “Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam is very important.”

For women still menstruating, a breast self-exam should be performed a few days after her period ends. For those who are post-menopausal, a breast self-exam should be performed on the same day of each month, such as the 1st or 15th day of the month.

While mammograms can help you to detect cancer before you can feel a lump, breast self-exams help you to be familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel. Alert your healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your breasts, such as a new lump, sore spot, changes in the appearance of the skin, or nipple discharge.

How Should A Breast Self-Exam Be Performed?

1) In the Shower

With the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area, pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month, feeling for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes.

2) In Front of a Mirror

With your arms at your sides, visually inspect your breasts, looking for any changes in the contour or shape of the breasts, any dimpling, swelling, or other skin irregularities on or around the breasts, or any changes in the nipples.

Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Look for any dimpling, puckering, or other changes, particularly on one side. Note that the left and right breasts will not exactly match. Few women’s breasts are perfectly symmetrical.

3) Lying Down

When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and put your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your 3 middle fingers around your right breast, covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure to feel for any new lumps, thickenings, hardened knots, or any other breast changes. Also squeeze the nipple to check for discharge. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

Can I Rely On Breast Self-Exams Alone To Be Sure I Am Breast Cancer Free? KNOW MORE on World Breast Cancer Research Day.

Mammography can usually detect tumors before they can be felt, so screening is key for early detection. But when combined with regular medical care and appropriate guideline-recommended mammography, breast self-exams can help women know what is normal for them so they can report any changes to their healthcare provider.

If you find a lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, but don’t panic. 8 out of 10 lumps are not cancerous. For additional peace of mind, call your doctor whenever you have concerns.

Although women account for the vast majority of breast cancer cases, 530 men are estimated to die from the disease this year.

Here are a few more statistics, provided by World Breast Cancer Research Day:

2,701 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in men in 2022.
12% of all cancer cases worldwide are diagnosed as breast cancer. Globally, it is the most common type.
3.8 million women in the U.S. have a history of breast cancer (as of 1/2022).
6% of women in the U.S. are first diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
30% of newly diagnosed cancers in 2022 in women will be breast cancers.
1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes.

Breast cancer advocacy and research is highlighted significantly in the month of October, but our fight against the disease needs to continue throughout the rest of the year. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer death rates declined 40% from 1989 to 2016 among women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection.