October is Breast cancer awareness month, a global campaign focused on awareness, early detection and access to timely treatment for breast cancer. In 2024, approximately 2.4 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer and 694 000 died from the disease.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. The WHO's theme for 2026 is "Every story is unique, every journey matters", emphasising that each person's experience of breast cancer is different and that everyone should have access to care and support. The WHO says signs of breast cancer can include a lump or thickening in the breast, changes in the size or shape of the breast, skin changes, changes to the nipple and abnormal or bloody discharge. A lump does not need to be painful and any unusual change should be examined by a healthcare worker. Early detection and timely treatment can improve outcomes.
The Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa)'s 2026 calendar includes October as its Breast cancer awareness and Women's health campaign. Cansa conducts clinical breast examinations at its care centres and recommends monthly self-examinations and an annual clinical breast examination. Breast cancer can affect people at different ages and the WHO emphasises that most women who are diagnosed do not have a known family history of the disease. October is therefore also an opportunity to be aware of your normal breast appearance and feel and to seek medical help if there is a change.
Sources: World Health Organisation, Cansa 2026 calendar, Cansa
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
