The Purpose and Promise of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Every person should know the symptoms and signs of breast cancer, and any time an abnormality is discovered, it should be investigated by a healthcare professional.

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Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October. It is a dedicated time to promote breast cancer, encourage early detection, and offer support to those affected. During October, individuals, communities, and health organizations come together to educate about risks, symptoms, and care.

At Signature Health Services, a home nursing agency dedicated to patient well-being, our perspective emphasizes raising awareness and demonstrating how home nursing and therapy support add real value to prevention, treatment, and recovery.

What You Should Know about Breast Cancer

Breast cancer arises when cells in breast tissue grow abnormally and invade surrounding tissue or spread to other parts of the body. Most cases begin in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or lobules (lobular carcinoma).

In 2025, in the United States alone, an estimated 316,950 new cases of breast cancer are expected in women, along with 59,080 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). For men, roughly 2,800 new breast cancer cases are anticipated.
It is estimated that 42,170 women and 510 men will die from breast cancer in 2025 in the U.S.
The lifetime risk for women is about 1 in 8 (roughly 13 %) of developing invasive breast cancer.

These numbers show the urgency of awareness during October and year-round efforts to prevent breast cancer when possible and detect it early.

Why Early Detection Matters

The prognosis for breast cancer strongly depends on how early it is found, accordingly to the latest cases:

When detected at a localized stage (cancer has not spread beyond the breast), the 5-year relative survival rate exceeds 99 % for invasive cases.
For regional cancer (spread to nearby lymph nodes or structures), the 5-year survival rate is approximately 86%.
Once the cancer has spread to distant sites (metastasis), the 5-year rate drops to roughly 32%.

Early detection is effective only when people are empowered to act, recognizing warning signs, undergoing timely screening, and taking action on abnormal findings.

Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies

While one cannot eliminate all risk, some well-documented factors and behaviors influence breast cancer risk. Awareness of these enables how to help breast cancer prevention:

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

1

Genetics and family history – Certain inherited gene mutations, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, significantly raise the risk.
2

Age and sex – Risk increases with age, and being female is the primary risk factor.
3

Dense breast tissue – Higher breast density (fibroglandular vs fatty tissue) can both increase risk and make detection via mammogram more challenging.

Modifiable or Partially Modifiable Factors

1

Excess body weight/obesity, especially after menopause.
2
Sedentary lifestyle and lack of constant physical activity.
3
Alcohol consumption, even moderate intake, can raise risk.
4
Hormone therapy use, especially prolonged combined estrogen–progestin therapy.
5
Reproductive factors such as having a first pregnancy late, few pregnancies, or not breastfeeding can influence risk.

Adopting healthy habits, like exercising regularly, maintaining a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, and managing weight, offers an opportunity to reduce risk or even prevent breast cancer.

Symptoms and When to Act

Many cases of breast cancer are found through screening, before symptoms appear. However, awareness of potential signs and symptoms is crucial. Common red flags include:

Change in breast size, shape, or contour
A new mass or lump in the breast or underarm
Skin changes like dimpling, puckering, redness, or thickening
Nipple changes: inversion, retraction, scaliness
Unexplained nipple discharge
Persistent pain in part of the breast

If any unusual change persists, one should consult a qualified health professional promptly. Early evaluation gives the greatest chance for effective treatment.

Treatment Approaches

Treatment of breast cancer is highly individualized, depending on tumor subtype, stage, and patient health. Common modalities include:

Surgery (lumpectomy, mastectomy) to remove the tumor
Radiation therapy to target residual cancer cells
Chemotherapy, which may be systemic
Hormone therapy for hormone receptor–positive tumors
Targeted therapies (for example, HER2-targeted drugs)
Immunotherapy in certain settings

Often, a combination of treatments is applied to maximize efficacy while minimizing side effects.

The Role of Home Nursing and Therapy in Breast Cancer Care

For patients going through treatment or recovery, home nursing and therapeutic support can make a profound difference. From our perspective as an experienced home nursing agency, we see multiple benefits:

1

Continuity and comfort – Patients recover in familiar surroundings, which can reduce stress and promote well-being.
2

Symptom management and monitoring – Home nurses can help monitor vital signs, manage pain, observe for side effects, and ensure timely medical communication.
3

Rehabilitation and functional support – Therapists can guide gentle exercises, mobility training, lymphedema prevention, and a safe return to activity.
4

Emotional and psychosocial support – Frequent contact and counseling in a home setting help address anxiety, fatigue, and emotional strain.
5

Personalized care plan and education – Home care providers reinforce instructions, help with medication adherence, and educate patients and family caregivers.

Evidence supports these benefits. A systematic review of home-based multidimensional survivorship programs in breast cancer survivors showed improvements in quality of life, reductions in anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia in the short term.

Therefore, integrating home nursing services into breast cancer care helps bridge hospital-based treatments and everyday life, enhancing outcomes and dignity.

How You Can Contribute This October

During the month of breast cancer awareness, there are many meaningful ways to get involved:

Spread awareness – Share reliable information about breast cancer awareness, risk factors, symptoms, and prevention.
Support screening efforts – Encourage community members to get mammograms, especially for individuals who may lack access.
Host or join events – Fundraisers, walks, educational sessions, or virtual campaigns.
Volunteer or partner – Work with nonprofits or hospital outreach programs.
Donate to research – Support studies seeking better prevention, detection, and treatment.
Offer personal stories – Sharing “why” motivates others to become aware and engaged.

The 2025 theme, “My Why,” reveals that behind every act of resilience, every choice to persevere, and every effort to care for or give, there’s a personal reason: a “why.” This campaign encourages everyone affected by breast cancer, including patients, families, and healthcare providers, to share their personal stories and motivations. The goal is to connect the breast cancer community and make them feel seen, supported, and connected.

Challenges and Hope

Although progress has been made, much work remains. At Signature, we know firsthand the essential role that home-based support plays during treatment and recovery.

We urge you: learn the signs, uphold preventive habits, advocate for screening, and support those affected. Every action matters.

Let this October be a time of renewed energy, a stepping stone to a year-round commitment. Together, we make stronger steps toward a world in which every person facing breast cancer has access to early detection, effective treatment, and dignified support.

Call Signature 24/7 at 1 (800) 277-8291 for excellence in skilled and compassionate home health care.