Breast Cancer Awareness Month





October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. The good news is that breast cancer is a disease that can be treated and cured, that is why early detection is so important.  I personally encourage every women to do regular self examination as well as annual mammograms.  I have started my screening at age 32 and have yearly mammograms as part of my annual check-up.

The Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been named since 1985; however, it was not until 1993  when Evelyn Lauder, VP of Estee Lauder Cosmetics founded the Breast Cancer  Research Foundation and established the pink ribbon as its symbol.  Since then, many companies have participated in this campaign introducing "pink" products that donate all or partial profits to cancer research. 

Also during the month, many world-famous landmarks are illuminated in pink light to draw attention to the importance of mammography screening for early diagnosis of breast cancer as well as the research for finding ways to cure and prevent breast cancer.  Some of these landmarks are:

Curitiba, Brazil - Jardin Botanico





Tokyo Tower, Japan





Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Corcovado

Washington, DC - White House

Sydney Harbour, Australia