Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with one in 9 Australian women diagnosed before the age of 85. October is Australia’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to show support for women and families personally affected by breast cancer.
More than 14,000 women and 105 men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Thirty-eight Australian women are diagnosed every day and while survival rates continue to improve – today more than 88 per cent of women survive five years after diagnosis – there is still a long way to go.
Despite improvements in diagnosis, treatment and management in recent decades, sadly seven Australian women will lose their lives to breast cancer each day - more than 2,700 each year. Raising awareness is an important part of reducing the impact of breast cancer on Australian women and families.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month originated in the United States in the 1980s and is now an internationally recognised month for breast cancer awareness.
During October, Australia's main breast cancer organisations - BCNA, McGrath Foundation, National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and Cancer Australia - all hold events to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.
BCNA’s main fundraising event during October is our annual Pink Lady Luncheon, which will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 9 October. The theme of this year’s lunch is ‘Strength within’ and guests will hear from inspiring guest speakers and help raise funds for BCNA. Those speaking include Olympian Raelene Boyle AM MBE, BCNA CEO Maxine Morand and business leader Naomi Milgrom AO. Tickets are still available.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to highlight the dedicated and on-going medical research that is helping to advance our knowledge and understanding of the disease and provide improvements in detection, treatments, patient care and health outcomes for those diagnosed with breast cancer.
Monday 22 October is Australia's Breast Cancer Day, a day when all Australians can come together to show their support for women with breast cancer and their families.
