Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024: Quotes & Ideas

After ideas on how to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October? Breast Cancer Awareness Month ideas for moms, families, and all women. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affected by women in the US and UK.

Around 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.

So it’s important to understand the symptoms and potential risks associated with breast cancer.

That’s why we have Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to do just that: spread awareness.

Usually, the sooner someone is diagnosed with cancer, the better the prognosis and the higher the chances of remission.

So how can you support Breast Cancer Awareness month and help spread the message?

In this article: 📝

When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

So first off, what month is Breast Cancer Awareness? October.

While it’s often referred to as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US, it’s actually an international campaign, celebrated and supported around the world.

So Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024 is in October.

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Day?

In the UK, Breast Cancer Awareness Day takes part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024 on October 21, known as Wear It Pink Day.

On Breast Cancer Awareness Day, supporters are encouraged to wear pink (the color of breast cancer support and awareness) during fundraising efforts.

What is Pink Ribbon Day?

Pink Ribbon Day is another word for Breast Cancer Awareness Day, or Wear It Pink Day, where supporters wear pink, raising money and awareness for breast cancers of all types.

Why do you wear pink for breast cancer?

According to Breast Cancer Now, the pink ribbon of Breast Cancer Awareness Month represents the “fear of breast cancer” as well as “hope for the future”.

It also counteracts and challenges the aggression and indiscriminate nature of the life-changing disease.

What color is the breast cancer ribbon?

The ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness Month is pink, to match the Wear It Pink campaign and to represent the hopes and fears of those impacted by breast cancer.

Who started the pink ribbon for breast cancer?

So when and how was the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon created?

Well, it was actually Evelyn H. Lauder, of Estée Lauder (yes, that Estée Lauder) who collaborated with the Breast Cancer Campaign to raise awareness of the impact of breast cancer.

The breast cancer awareness pink ribbon was first introduced in 1992, and the rest is history!

How do you make a breast cancer ribbon?

It’s super easy to make your own breast cancer awareness ribbon, although it’s a great idea to buy one from a breast cancer charity, too, so they can get your donation.

But if you want to make your own to raise money for your chosen breast cancer charity or you’re not able to get your hands on a charity’s pink ribbon, here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. You’ll need a piece of pink ribbon, scissors, and a safety pin.
2. Trim the ribbon to your preferred size ‒ usually about 2.5 to 3.1 inches long, but you can go as big or as small as you like.
3. Hold each side of the ribbon and cross them over, creating a loop that “points” upward.
4. Use the safety pin to hold the loop in place, pinning it from the back of the ribbon.
5. Wear your breast cancer ribbon with pride!

Is there a symbol for breast cancer survivors?

Yes, the pink ribbon of breast cancer awareness is also used to represent survivors of breast cancer.

Some may choose to write the word “Survivor” on their ribbon, too.

What does the butterfly mean in breast cancer?

The butterfly is another symbol for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, representing new life and hope, along with change and beauty.

It’s a reminder to people impacted by breast cancer that there is always hope, and that beauty is ever-changing.

What should I wear for Breast Cancer Awareness Day?

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month and for Wear It Pink, it’s all about wearing pink.

So whether you want to glam it up in your favorite pink dress or you’re more comfortable in jeans and a t-shirt, choose your favorite shade of pink.

There are also beautiful Breast Cancer Awareness Month shirts if you want to further support the cause.

Here are some of our favorite Breast Cancer Awareness Month shirts to choose from:

In the US:

• "Fight Like a Girl Side Wrap" Unisex T-Shirt - Black w/ Pink

• "Supporting Admiring Honoring" Unisex T-Shirt - Black w/ Pink

• White Ribbon Breast Cancer Awareness Women's T-shirt, Cyber Pink

• Black Girl Fighter Breast Cancer Awareness Women's T-Shirt

• Breast Cancer Shirt ‘Stronger Together’

• Breast Cancer Shirts for Women Butterfly Pink Ribbon Sweatshirts

• Breast Cancer Awareness ‘Love’ Pink Ribbon Shirt

• Breast Cancer Awareness ‘No One Fights Alone’ Shirt

• Pink Ribbon Sunflower Sweatshirt

• Womens Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon Cotton Tee

• Breast Cancer Awareness ‘In October We Wear Pink’ Shirt

• Breast Cancer Awareness ‘I Wear Pink for My Sister’ Shirt

• ‘Check Yourself’ Breast Cancer Awareness Shirt

• Breast Cancer Ribbon Awareness Navy T-Shirt

• Elbow-Length Breast Cancer Awareness Ribbon T-Shirt - Dark Fuchsia

  In the UK:

• Tickled Pink Embellished Ribbon Jersey T-Shirt

• Tickled Pink ‘Be Yourself’ Women Graphic Print T-Shirt

• Heart Black Top

• Rachel Malli Top

• Erica Bergsmeds Photo T-Shirt

• Claire Richards Lotus Flower T-Shirt

• Pink Ribbon Foundation Logo Pink T-Shirt

• ‘Against Breast Cancer’ T-Shirt

What is the slogan for breast cancer?

There are a few slogans for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as the themes change each year.

But the main slogans for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Now, one of the charities of breast cancer support are:

• Touch your breasts. Look for changes. Check any changes with your GP.
• Touch your chest.
• We’re here.

What are Breast Cancer Awareness quotes?

Looking for Breast Cancer Awareness Month quotes to capture the spirit of hope and togetherness of the campaign?

Here are 38 of our favorite poignant, courageous, and meaningful Breast Cancer Awareness quotes:

1. “Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.”—Melissa Etheridge
2. “There can be life after breast cancer. The prerequisite is early detection.”—Ann Jillian
3. “Every woman needs to know the facts. And the fact is, when it comes to breast cancer, every woman is at risk.” —Debbie Wasserman Schultz
4. “With breast cancer, it’s all about detection. You have to educate young women and encourage them to do everything they have to do.” —Bill Rancic
5. “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. So the only thing to be really afraid of is if you don’t go get your mammograms.” —Cynthia Nixon
6. “Breast cancer changes you, and the change can be beautiful.”—Jane Cook
7. “Breast cancer deaths in America have been declining for more than a decade. Much of that success is due to early detection and better treatments for women. I strongly encourage women to get a mammogram.” – Larry Craig
8. “Have your own experience and trust your intuition. A million people will tell you what you should and shouldn't be doing, but you know yourself and your body best—do what you think is right.” —Christina Steinorth-Powell
9. “My diagnosis flung me into despair until it hit me: I’m alive.”—Dana Dinerman
10. “Breast cancer is scary and no one understands that like another woman who has gone through it too.” —Mindy Sterling
11. “I personally know women who are breast cancer survivors and I will do all I can to support the cause. Besides, I love boobies!” —Jane Wiedlin
12. “I started realizing I could be an example for women to not just be aware of breast cancer, but to act on it, to give themselves an exam.” —Giuliana Rancic
13. “And if it comes back, I’ll keep fighting.”—Nicole Kramer
14. “Whether you’re a mother or father, or a husband or a son, or a niece or a nephew or uncle, breast cancer doesn’t discriminate.” —Stephanie McMahon
15. “I would like to take the stigma away. 'Mastectomy,' the word seemed to scary to me at first. After doing research and seeing the advancements, the surgery has come a long way from 20 years ago. The results can be incredible.” —Giuliana Rancic
16. “Breast cancer, whether I like it or not, is part of my family’s story. That’s why I am so passionate about raising awareness because I have seen firsthand how it can impact others.” —DeAngelo Williams
17. “Don’t let breast cancer take away the motivation to achieve your dreams.” —Diana Cohen
18. “Having had cancer, one important thing to know is you're still the same person at the end. You're stripped down to near-zero. But most people come out the other end feeling more like themselves than ever before.” —Kylie Minogue
19. “Time is shortening. But every day that I challenge this cancer and survive is a victory for me.” —Ingrid Bergman
20. “If a relative has suffered ovarian or breast cancer, get the genetic screening. It saves lives.” —Lisa Jey Davis
21. “Cancer doesn’t care, so you have to.” – Crystal Brown-Tatum
22. “Cancer didn’t bring me to my knees, it brought me to my feet.” – Michael Douglas
23. “Cancer is messy and scary. You throw everything at it, but don’t forget to throw love at it. It turns out that might be the best weapon of all.” – Regina Brett
24. “I think cancer is a hard battle to fight alone or with another person at your side, but I will say having someone to pick you up when you fall, stand by your side through every appointment and delivery of bad news, is priceless.” – Jenna Morasca
25. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” – Cayla Mills
26. “If you have a friend or family member with breast cancer, try not to look at her with ‘sad eyes.’ Treat her like you always did; just show a little extra love.” – Hoda Kotb
27. “I’m battling cancer. It’s another battle I intend to win” – Arlen Specter
28. “Once I overcame breast cancer, I wasn’t afraid of anything anymore.” – Melissa Etheridge
29. “Since I had cancer I’ve realized that every day is a bonus.” – Geoffrey Boycott
30. “Cancer affects all of us, whether you’re a daughter, mother, sister, friend, coworker, doctor, or patient.” – Jennifer Aniston
31. “If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a bloody army to battle cancer.” – Niyati Tamaskar
32. “Breast cancer, I can now report, did not make me prettier or stronger, more feminine or spiritual. What it gave me, if you want to call this a “gift,” was a very personal, agonizing encounter with an ideological force in American culture that I had not been aware of before—one that encourages us to deny reality, submit cheerfully to misfortune, and blame only ourselves for our fate.” ― Barbara Ehrenreich
33. “I feel so fortunate and grateful to be a survivor of breast cancer. I see it as a gift.” — Olivia Newton-John
34. “My mum [who has breast cancer] is a fighter. I’ve got that from her, I know she’s a fighter.” — Naomi Campbell
35. “My efforts to join the fight against breast cancer all began around the fact that women were getting short-changed in the medical arena.” — Evelyn Lauder
36. “I’m a huge breast cancer awareness advocate because my mom went through breast cancer recently. It really brought our family closer.” — Brenda Song
37. “My mom, she’s a breast cancer survivor and because of that I had started getting mammograms once a year, starting at age 30.” — Kate Walsh
38. “Women who have been recently diagnosed with breast cancer can learn a tremendous amount from women who have already been treated.” — Anne Wojcicki

What to do for Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Looking for Breast Cancer Awareness Month ideas to show your support and raise funds for the cause?

Here are some of the ways you can support Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

1. Take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Month events

Look for events near you to help spread awareness and raise funds for breast cancer charities.

Not sure where to look? Try here for Breast Cancer Awareness Month events in the US and here for the UK.

And if there are no Breast Cancer Awareness Month events near you, why not start your own?

Visit Wear It Pink for all the fundraising materials and ideas you need to throw a successful and inspiring event.

Looking for more ideas for your Breast Cancer Awareness event? Feel free to ask our Peanut community ‒ we have a whole community of cancer survivors who may feel comfortable sharing their stories and thoughts.

2. Spread the word on social media

Posting on social media is a fantastic, low-effort way to show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Not sure what to say? Here are some Breast Cancer Awareness Month post ideas:

• An uplifting or honest quote from a breast cancer survivor or someone impacted by breast cancer.
• Statistics about how many people are affected by breast cancer, along with the important of regular breast or chest checks.
• A video of how to perform a self-breast check.
• Resources from a trusted breast cancer charity, like Wear It Pink, Breast Cancer Now, Cancer Research, National Breast Cancer Foundation, or the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
• Your breast cancer story, if you’re comfortable sharing it.

Is there a breast cancer Emoji?

Yes, there is a Breast Cancer Awareness Month emoji, although it’s also used for other charity and remembrance campaigns: the ribbon emoji (🎗️).

3. Get the kids involved

Starting awareness about breast cancer (and how to check for it) at a young age ‒ for boys and girls ‒ could save their life, or even the lives of those they care about.

It doesn’t have to be from a place of fear, but instead awareness and teaching them the symptoms and signs.

The sooner they get used to checking and knowing what to look for, the better ‒ it’s a great habit to build.

How about some Breast Cancer Awareness Month coloring pages for them to personalize, like these from Coloring Home?

Or you could speak to their school about a fundraising event, or even use some of the downloadable activity sheets from Wear It Pink to get them involved?

4. Decorate for Breast Cancer Awareness

When it comes to Breast Cancer Awareness Month decorating ideas, the key is to think pink.

Opt for pink banners, pink balloons, pink flowers, or even pink Halloween decorations ‒ ‘tis the season, after all!

We love the idea of Breast Cancer Awareness Month pumpkins, either painted pink or with ribbons carved into them.

What is the flower for breast cancer?

There are a few different flowers that represent different ways people have been impacted by breast cancer, so why not decorate for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with flowers?

• Pink carnations represent the visibility of those affected by breast cancer, often accompanied with the simple message, “We see you”.
• The Imagine Rose is a breed of rose grown exclusively for the charity Against Breast Cancer, by World of Roses. It’s used as a gift to remember those affected by breast cancer. You can order your own Imagine Rose here, from Against Breast Cancer.
• Starfighter lilies are a symbol of the eternal fighting spirit of those impacted by breast cancer.
• Calla lilies represent faith and rebirth, as being diagnosed with breast cancer is often described as the start of a new, different life.
  Any pink flowers can also be used to decorate for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so if there’s a particular pink flower you love, show your support with a bouquet.
  What can I do for my friend who has breast cancer? If you know someone who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, it can be tricky to know what to do.

You don’t want to seem too emotional but you also don’t want to be blasé about it.

You want to let them share their story, but you don’t want to pry or make it seem like they are just their diagnosis.

Here are a few things you can do if you have a friend who has breast cancer:

• Let them talk about it if they want to ‒ try not to interrupt their story.
• Let them know you’re there whenever they need, even if that’s a phone call in the middle of the night.
• Give them a heads’ up before you visit.
• Offer to cook meals, look after their kids, do the grocery shopping, or do some housework.
• Try not to talk about what you think would ‘cure’ them, unless they ask your opinion.
• Let them feel upset. Telling them to “be positive” may not be helpful all the time.

What is the earliest symptom of breast cancer?

So how do you know if you have breast cancer?

Well, one of the things that the campaign is pushing for is for more screenings urged at start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Checking yourself and getting a mammogram are both important ways to keep checking yourself for potential symptoms of breast cancer.

Here are some things to look out for, according to the CDC:

• Swelling around your breast with no clear cause.
• A change in your skin around your breast or nipple.
• Unexplained nipple pain.
• Inversion (pulling inward) of your nipple.
• Nipple discharge or blood.
• Increase or decrease in your breast size or cup size.
• Breast pain.
• A new lump in your breast or armpit ‒ here’s more information and a step-by-step guide on how to check for lumps.
  Breast cancer can affect women and men of all ages, races, and life stages, so it’s fundamental to check your chest regularly, regardless of whether you have any other symptoms.

And if you do have any other potential symptoms, speak with your doctor as soon as possible.

So help us spread the word on Breast Cancer Awareness Month ‒ if you’re going to Wear It Pink, share your photos on Peanut!