Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a global opportunity to raise awareness of breast cancer and call for action to improve access to timely diagnosis and quality care.
The World Health Organization 2026 breast cancer awareness theme, “Every story is unique, every journey matters”, recognizes that every experience of breast cancer is different. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family and a unique journey. People may face different challenges depending on their diagnosis, treatment, support networks and access to care.
Every person affected by breast cancer deserves to be, supported and treated with dignity. And everyone, wherever they live, should have access to the care they need.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women.
Last year:
2.4 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide.
694 000 women died from the disease.
8.2 million women were living with breast cancer at the end of the year.
Breast cancer occurs in every country and can affect women at any age after puberty, with incidence increasing later in life. Around 80% of breast cancers occur in women with no specific risk factors other than sex and age.
Access to early diagnosis and effective treatment can vary significantly, contributing to large differences in survival between countries.
Everyone has a role to play in making breast cancer care more accessible and equitable.
Individuals and communities can share trusted information and help raise awareness.
Health professionals can support early detection, timely diagnosis and high-quality care.
Organizations and partners can amplify campaign messages and support local and national action.
Countries and health systems can strengthen breast cancer services and work towards the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) targets.
Carmel Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons urge you to raise awareness, get your screening mammogram, and do what you can to decrease your personal risk of breast cancer such as increasing physical activity, decreasing alcohol use, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Even in the US, About 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and the incidence rate is rising 1% per year overall and at a faster rate (1.4%) for women aged under 50. In 2026, an estimated 321,910 new cases of invasive female breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. and 42,140 women will die from the disease.
