As the color pink begins to pop up among the dull shades of fall, communities across the globe shed light on the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

October has served as Breast Cancer Awareness for over a century, but even after one hundred years support for the cause is energetic, and for good reason.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, one in every eight women will, at some point, develop breast cancer in her lifetime. It is estimated that in 2021, 281,550 women will be diagnosed in the United States alone, making it the most common cancer in American women, aside from skin cancers.
Attached to breast cancer also comes its frightening reputation as an extremely deadly disease. In the United States, approximately 43,600 women are estimated to succumb to breast cancer in 2021, 99% of those cases being metastatic.
Unfortunately, racial inequality also plays a factor in survival rate. Metavivor, a breast cancer awareness, research, and support group, says black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. The reasons for this are complex but are linked to healthcare inequality for people of color.
Despite this disheartening information, there remains hope backed by exciting data. Deaths related to breast cancer have decreased 40% since the 1990s due to advancements in screening technology and financial contributions from charities and other organizations.
The month of October proves to be extremely important in the fundraising aspect of spreading awareness. Although the pink ribbon used to represent breast cancer is recognized as a popular way of showing support, much more can be done to help further research and provide aid for individuals, families, and communities affected by this disease.
Some popular organizations to donate to include the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Young Survival Coalition, and Living Beyond Breast Cancer. However, there are an overwhelming number of charities, large and small, to donate to.
While donating is often the first thing people think of when considering ways to help, they often skip past one of the most important methods: taking care of themselves.