Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Every story is unique, every journey matters

Every October, the world unites in recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a global movement dedicated not only to spreading awareness, but also to saving lives through early detection and equitable access to treatment. The theme for 2025, as chosen by the lead organization, World Health Organization (WHO), is "Every story is unique, every journey matters"—a reminder that behind every breast cancer diagnosis is a personal story of courage, struggle, and hope.

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Globally, breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. In 2022 alone, an estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed and 670,000 died of the disease. Breast cancer does not discriminate—it affects women of all races, ages, and income levels, in every corner of the world. And yet, where a woman lives still determines whether she survives.

In high-income countries, five-year survival rates exceed 90 percent, because of early detection and access to timely, effective treatment. But according to the WHO, survival drops to 66 percent in India and just 40 percent in South Africa a reflection of unequal access to cancer care. If current trends continue, breast cancer incidence and mortality are projected to rise by 40 percent by 2050, prompting the WHO to call for urgent, coordinated global action.