World Breast Cancer Research Day Date in the current year: August 18, 2024

Just like the name suggests, breast cancer develops from breast tissue. Since both women and men have breasts, breast cancer can affect anyone regardless of their gender. However, women have more breast tissue than men and account for 99% of all breast cancer cases.

Breast cancer has two main risk factors: being female and older age. Although genetics may play a role in the development of breast cancer, it is the primary cause of the disease in 5–10% of all cases. Other risk factors include include smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, a lack of physical exercise, hormonal changes (including hormone replacement therapy), certain medical conditions, having no children or having the first child later in life, and others.

Overall, breast cancer survival rates are relatively high for patients diagnosed at early stages and continue to rise. This became possible due to breast cancer research that helps find better ways to prevent, detect, and treat this type of cancer. However, the ultimate goal of breast cancer research is to find a cure for the disease that will help everyone diagnosed with breast cancer regardless of their gender and age.

Although the breast cancer movement is one of the largest women’s health movements and health awareness campaigns, it has been criticized for its focus on the importance of screening and existing treatments. Only a small fraction of the funds raised by breast cancer advocates is spent on researching new treatment and prevention methods. This is why some breast cancer awareness organizations specifically call for additional research.

World Breast Cancer Research Day was launched in 2021 by Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, one of the leading breast cancer research organizations in the United States. Its main goal is to highlight the successes of breast cancer research and the hard work that has gone into it, as well as the importance of continuing the research in order to end breast cancer once and for all.

Although October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, both in the United States and internationally, World Breast Cancer Research Day is purposefully celebrated in August because it is important to spread awareness of breast cancer twelve months a year and not just in October. The date of August 18 (the 18th day of the 8th month) was chosen as a reference to the fact that 1 in 8 women get a breast cancer diagnosis during their lifetime.

How can you observe World Breast Cancer Research Day? You can donate to Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research or any other breast cancer research organization, raise awareness on social media with the hashtag #WorldBreastCancerResearchDay, schedule a breast exam if you haven’t had one in a while, and take a pledge to never skip your monthly self-examination.