The world marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month every October to raise awareness of the disease and call for better access to timely diagnosis and quality healthcare.
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This year's campaign carries the slogan “Every Story Is Unique, Every Journey Deserves Attention,” highlighting how each woman's experience with breast cancer is different. Behind every diagnosis is a personal journey that affects families and is shaped by diagnosis, treatment, support networks and access to healthcare.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, while 694,000 died from the disease. By the end of that year, approximately 8.2 million women were living with breast cancer.
The disease affects women in every country and can develop at any age after puberty, although incidence rates increase with age.
The WHO indicates that around 80% of breast cancer cases occur in women who have no specific risk factors other than being female and getting older.
The organization stresses the importance of recognizing risk factors and possible warning signs, including a lump or thickening in the breast, changes in breast size or shape, changes to the skin or nipple, and unusual or bloody nipple discharge.
Mammography may also be recommended for women in age groups for which screening is advised, where screening services are available.
Despite improvements in breast cancer treatment outcomes in many countries, significant disparities in survival rates remain. The WHO estimates that the proportion of women who survive for at least five years after diagnosis is 41% in low-income countries, compared with 87% in high-income countries.
Countries are working toward diagnosing 60% of invasive breast cancer cases at stage I or II. They are also seeking to ensure that diagnosis takes place within 60 days of symptoms being detected or first presenting at a healthcare facility, and that 80% of affected women receive the full recommended course of treatment.
