Turning Awareness Into Action: 40 Years of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which was co-created by the American Cancer Society (ACS) in 1985. It began as a week-long campaign to educate women about screening and routine mammograms. Today, 40 years later, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has grown into a nationwide movement that continues to bring awareness to the disease.

But awareness alone isn’t enough. In this milestone year, ACS encourages everyone to do more this October and turn awareness into action. 

A Legacy of Progress

According to ACS's  Cancer Facts & Figures 2025, about 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime, and about 1 in 43 women will die from it. 

Still, there has been steady progress since Breast Cancer Awareness Month started in 1985. Over the past 40+ years, research supported, in part, by ACS has led to major advances, including:

• 1980s–1990s: Discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes; FDA approval of Herceptin 

• 2000s: Identification of breast cancer stem cells and genomic testing to guide treatment decisions

• 2010s: Approval of immunotherapy to treat triple-negative and HER2+ breast cancers 

• 2020s: Promising developments in breast cancer vaccines and newer technology and tests that help improve early detection

Currently, there are more than 4 million people living with breast cancer in the U.S. ACS researchers expect that number to reach 5.3 million by 2035. 

A Significant Milestone

According to ACS chief patient officer, Dr. Arif Kamal, 40 has a special significance. 

“Breast cancer mortality is down more than 40%, and 40 is when women should start having a conversation with their doctor about getting a mammogram,” he said.

The American Cancer Society recommends that women get regular screening with mammography for the early detection of breast cancer. For women at average risk for breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends: 

• Women between 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.

• Women 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year. 

• Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

• All women should understand what to expect when getting a mammogram for breast cancer screening – what the test can and cannot do. 

• All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel, and report any changes to a doctor.

“Due in part to the work of the American Cancer Society, 3 in 4 women are now up to date on screening, which is the greatest reason mortality has reduced,” Kamal said. “But 1 in 4 are not up to date, and we need to close that gap.”

Every Action Counts 

This October, the American Cancer Society invites everyone to do more than wear pink, go beyond ribbons and awareness, and take action. Because every action counts.

Learn more by visiting cancer.org/BreastCancerAction.