Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held in October every year, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. Known best for its pink theme color, the month features several campaigns and programs — conducted by groups ranging from breast cancer advocacy organizations to local community organizations to major retailers — aimed at:

• supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer
• educating people about breast cancer risk factors
• stressing the importance of regular screening, starting at age 40 or an age that’s appropriate for your personal breast cancer risk
• fundraising for breast cancer research

Throughout the month of October, join Team AgLearn in promoting and engaging with this important awareness campaign. 

Background

The event began in 1985 as a week-long awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in partnership with Imperial Chemical Industries. It eventually extended to a month-long event. In 1992, the pink ribbon came into play.

The original use of ribbons for specific causes dates to 1979, when "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" inspired Penney Laingen — whose husband was a prisoner of war — to display yellow ribbons as a symbol of hope.

• More information about Breast Cancer Awareness Month External Link
• Breast Cancer Awareness information from the CDC External Link
• Breast Cancer information and resources from the FDA External Link

AgLearn Resources

• Aspire Journey: Nurturing Your Own Wellbeing External Link
• Learning Channel: Physical Well-Being External Link
• Course: Managing and Supporting Employee Wellness External Link
• eBook: Your Brain on Exercise External Link
• eBook: Techniques of Healthy Cooking External Link
• eBook: Force of Habit: Unleash Your Power by Developing Great Habits External Link