Every single October, a sea of pink ribbons covers walls, shelves, local papers and social media. I had never realized how painful it is for someone you know to have breast cancer until I did. My two aunts, Kathy Wowk and Bernadette McAuliff, both had breast cancer. And they beat it!

I don’t really remember much from when my Aunt Kathy had it because I was young. But I do remember the day she came to my house. We were having a birthday party, and she ripped off her beanie, revealing to us that she had breast cancer and showing us that the treatments she had gone through had caused most of her hair to fall out. She did have a little bit of hair left, and that little bit was dyed bright pink. After that, she began laughing and smiling, which made me feel better for her because she was happy.

When my Aunt Bernadette had breast cancer, it was an incredibly difficult time. Long hours of chemo almost every day took a toll on us all. But something she kept saying to reassure my family was, “At least I’m alive,” or “It’s only my hair and breasts that I’m losing.”

Looking back, what stands out to me is that both of my aunts were trying to make us feel better when, at the end of the day, they were the ones going through all of this. I cannot know how either of them felt deep down, ever. But what I do know is that not enough people understand the importance of breast cancer awareness.

About breast cancer

To understand why breast cancer awareness matters, it helps to first understand the disease itself. Breast cancer begins when cells in the breast grow uncontrollably. It is one of the most common cancers affecting women. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. This shows how widespread the disease is and why learning about it matters.

In the early stages, breast cancer often causes no pain or obvious symptoms. Some possible signs include lumps, breast swelling, skin dimpling, nipple changes or nipple discharge. Some people also develop breast or armpit pain. If cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause aching, severe pain or fractures. Spreading to the lungs may cause coughing or difficulty breathing. Symptoms depend on where the disease spreads.

Removing the tumor, or sometimes the whole breast, can cause soreness, scars and changes in appearance. Lymph node removal can sometimes cause lasting arm swelling called lymphedema. Chemotherapy can cause nausea, hair loss, extreme tiredness and, with certain drugs, nerve damage that produces tingling, numbness or pain. Not everyone experiences every side effect. Radiation can cause breast tenderness, irritated skin, and fatigue.

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 42,140 women in the United States will die from breast cancer in 2026. Worldwide, an estimated 694,000 people died from breast cancer in 2024, according to the World Health Organization. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, after lung cancer.

Breast cancer is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged and older women. According to the American Cancer Society’s 2026 statistics, the median age at diagnosis is 63, meaning half of women diagnosed are younger than 63 and half are older. Approximately one in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer is younger than 45. On a positive note, breast cancer death rates in the United States fell by 44 percent between 1989 and 2023, mostly because of earlier detection and better treatments.

One important tool for detection is a mammogram. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast that can find cancer before a lump can be felt or symptoms appear. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends mammograms every two years for women ages 40-74, according to its 2024 guidelines. However, people who are at higher risk may need earlier screening or additional tests, such as an MRI. Something to keep in mind is that mammograms help detect cancer; they do not prevent it.

There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, but regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting or avoiding alcohol may help lower the risk. 

People with a strong family history of breast cancer should discuss their individual risk and screening options with a doctor. However, someone may still develop breast cancer despite taking good care of themselves.

Anyone noticing a new lump, nipple discharge or changes in their breast should contact a health care provider promptly. Do not delay seeking help because of fear or embarrassment. A doctor or clinic can help arrange testing and explain the results.

For eligible people who cannot afford screening, the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program provides free or low-cost screening services.

The pink ribbons we see every October represent people whose lives have been changed by breast cancer forever. Behind every single statistic, there is someone facing fear, uncertainty, treatment, and difficult decisions. Breast Cancer Awareness Month reminds us to learn the facts, take our health and everyone else’s seriously and support those affected—even after October ends.

And to those who have had breast cancer, it doesn’t take away your worth as a person. You may lose your hair, your breasts, your energy or your appetite, but you haven’t lost your heart. That part of you deserves to be valued just as much as it always has.

Isabella Deans, 14, is a student reporter in the Rockland Central School District in New York. She writes for several news outlets in the region.