If you’re living with breast cancer, you know how deeply it can affect your life. However, many people around you may not fully understfand the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for the condition — especially in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Raising awareness doesn’t just help others understand your condition. MyBCTeam members have shared how learning more about breast cancer helps them make more informed decisions about treatments and boosts their confidence.

If you want to help raise awareness about breast cancer, here are some steps you can take.

1. Learn All You Can About Breast Cancer

Before you can raise public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to learn more about the causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments for breast cancer.

Breast cancer happens when cells in the breast start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. It’s the most common cancer in the world and the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in the U.S., according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

There are various types of breast cancer, classified by where the cancer begins in the breast, its genetic traits, and other factors. Some awareness events focus on a specific type of breast cancer, such as triple negative breast cancer.

2. Connect to Breast Cancer Awareness Groups

Connecting with groups that raise awareness about breast cancer can keep you informed about activities, fundraisers, and events. These organizations often create materials you can share to help raise awareness.

You can follow nonprofit organizations like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen, the American Cancer Society, or Breast Cancer Now (in the UK) on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly calledTwitter).

3. Share About Breast Cancer on Social Media

Once you’re armed with information about breast cancer, share it with others! Social media is an easy and free way to raise awareness. You can post facts about breast cancer, share your experiences, and join communities of other people who are also working to spread the word.

Posting about breast cancer on social media can help raise awareness, especially if you include related hashtags.

To ensure your messages on social media reach as many people as possible, consider using a relevant hashtag, like #BreastCancer, #BreastCancerAwareness, #NBCF, or #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth. This helps your posts reach more people who are interested in the topic, and will encourage them to share and comment.

Social media not only raises awareness but also helps others with breast cancer feel less alone. Joining a social network for people with breast cancer, such as MyBCTeam, can also help you connect with others who share similar experiences.

4. Educate Others About Breast Cancer

While most people have heard of breast cancer and may even know someone living with it, many don’t know much about it. Educating those around you can help them understand how common it is. It can also help them recognize signs, symptoms, and risk factors to look for in themselves and their loved ones and to know when to get a mammogram for early detection.

If you’re not sure what to say, consider sharing these free educational guides from the National Breast Cancer Foundation. They’re a great place to start and can spark meaningful conversations.

“I’ve got almost all of my co-workers wearing pink ribbons for me and for awareness. I have a lot of people supporting and strengthening me and mine.”

— A MyBCTeam Member

Always remember to practice self-care. Educating others about your lived experiences can be emotionally taxing, so know your limits and prioritize your mental well-being and overall wellness.

5. Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research

Another way to raise awareness about breast cancer is to participate in events dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for breast cancer, host a bingo night, organize a silent auction, or create a unique fundraiser that matches your interests. These activities not only help educate others about breast cancer but are also fun ways to raise money for the cause.

There are plenty of ways to get involved in events that raise money for breast cancer. You can host or attend a bake sale, organize an afternoon tea, run or walk in a “race for the cure,” or even play golf. No matter your interests, there’s an opportunity to help make a difference.

One member of MyBCTeam shared her enthusiasm for fundraising: “I’m so excited to be the third-highest fundraiser in the country for the first-ever Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day! Let’s wipe out cancer!” Whether you raise a little or a lot, fundraising can be a fun way to make a difference.

6. Wear Pink

Pink is the color of breast cancer awareness, and many people choose to wear it in October to help spread the word. Wearing pink can be a great way to start conversations with others. If someone compliments something pink you’re wearing, it’s a perfect chance to share why you’re wearing it and discuss breast cancer. If you don’t usually wear pink, this can be a great way to let friends and family know that something special is happening this month.

For some MyBCTeam members, wearing pink can also show solidarity and make them feel supported. “I’ve got almost all of my co-workers wearing pink ribbons for me and for awareness,” wrote one member. “I have a lot of people supporting and strengthening me and mine. Today is a good day.”

7. Participate in Research

Research isn’t just for people who are currently fighting breast cancer. Many studies also involve people who have finished their treatment. These studies explore different aspects of survivorship, including how treatment affects life afterward, mental health related to breast cancer, quality of life after a breast cancer diagnosis, and lifestyle factors. If you’re a breast cancer survivor interested in contributing to medical knowledge about breast cancer, talk to your oncology team. They can help connect you to a study near you.

Find Your Team

MyBCTeam is the social network for people with breast cancer and their loved ones. On MyBCTeam, more than 73,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with breast cancer.

Do you take any steps to support breast cancer awareness, either in October or year-round? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.