Pink October: A Month and a Message That Can Save Lives

Every October, the world is bathed in pink; screens and building facades light up in this color, and breast cancer awareness campaigns are launched in dozens of countries.

While this scene may seem like a well-known annual tradition, behind the pink color and the ribbon lies a much more important message: know the signs of the disease, be attentive to risk factors, and don’t delay in consulting a doctor, because early diagnosis can make all the difference in the treatment process and the chances of survival.

Thus, Pink October has become much more than just an awareness month; it’s an annual reminder that taking care of your health and accessing early diagnosis and treatment can give millions of women a better chance of life.

How did Pink October begin?

The origins of Breast Cancer Awareness Month date back to 1985, when the American Cancer Society launched a week-long awareness campaign focused on educating women about early detection and mammograms. Over the years, the initiative has expanded to a full month of awareness.

October was not chosen because of an increase in breast cancer cases during this period, nor because the disease is biologically linked to it. It was chosen because the campaign began then and gradually became a global day of breast cancer awareness, encouraging early detection and providing support to those affected and survivors.

The pink ribbon, which has become the campaign’s most iconic symbol, began to spread widely in the early 1990s before becoming a global symbol of the fight against breast cancer.

A family history of breast cancer is not necessary. It is often mistakenly believed that breast cancer primarily affects women with a family history of the disease. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women with no specific modifiable risk factors other than female sex and age. Furthermore, most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known family history of the disease.

This does not mean, however, that other risk factors are negligible. An increased risk is also associated with obesity, alcohol consumption, prior radiation exposure, certain factors related to reproductive history, smoking, and postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy, in addition to family history and certain genetic mutations.

Certain tests can estimate the likelihood of cancer recurrence and guide treatment decisions more precisely.

Early detection is essential.

The stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis is one of the most important factors influencing survival rates.

Data from the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Ends) program show that the five-year relative survival rate is 100% when breast cancer is localized and has not spread beyond the breast. This rate drops to 87.5% when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes or nearby tissues, and to 33.8% when it has spread to distant organs, according to data from 2016 to 2022.

These figures do not allow us to predict the course of the disease for each individual patient. These statistics pertain to large groups, whereas each patient’s situation is unique and depends on the type of tumor, its stage and characteristics, her age, her overall health, and her response to treatment.

They do, however, illustrate why early diagnosis and rapid access to treatment are essential in the fight against breast cancer.

What should you know after diagnosis?

Not all breast tumors are the same; each tumor has biological characteristics that help doctors understand its nature and choose the most appropriate treatment. Among the most important are estrogen and progesterone receptors, as well as the HER2 protein. The results of these tests help determine how much a patient will benefit from hormone therapy or targeted therapy, in addition to other options such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy, depending on the type and stage of the tumor.

The treatment plan is not set in stone. In some cases, it is best to start with preoperative treatment to reduce the size of the tumor and increase the chances of its removal, while in others, surgery can be performed directly. The decision is made based on the size of the tumor, its extent, and other factors.