Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025
World Health Organization
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to create awareness, honour the millions of lives affected by breast cancer and reaffirm our global commitment to equitable access to care and improved survival for all. This year, we highlight the theme: Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters.
Why this theme?
Every breast cancer diagnosis is personal. Behind every diagnosis is a story — of courage, resilience, and hope. This theme reminds us that breast cancer touches the lives of women and their families around the world differently, and that every journey deserves compassion, dignity, and support. This year’s theme recognizes the diversity of experiences and reinforces the need for compassionate, timely and quality care for all—regardless of geography, income or background.
The global challenge
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. In 2022, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed and another 670,000 died from the disease. These are not just numbers but mothers, sisters, daughters and friends that deserve hope and dignity. While the 5-year survival rates in high-income countries exceeds 90%, the figures drop to 66% in India and 40% in South Africa. These disparities are driven by unequal access to early detection, timely diagnosis and effective treatment. If the current trend continues, the incidence and mortality are projected to rise by 40% by 2050 hence the need for urgent and coordinated action. Indeed, where a woman lives should not determine whether she survives.
Established in 2021, the WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative together with partners is working with countries to reduce breast cancer mortality by strengthening health systems
The GBCI’s strategic approach: The 60–60–80 targets
We have the tools to prevent, diagnose and treat breast cancer. The GBCI advises countries to implement evidence-based strategies across three pillars:
- Pillar One: Health promotion and early detection Empower individuals and communities to recognize symptoms and seek care early. Target: 60% of invasive breast cancers are diagnosed at stage I or II.
- Pillar Two: Timely diagnosis Ensure diagnostic services are accessible and efficient. Target: patients receiving a diagnosis within 60 days of initial presentation.
- Comprehensive treatment Deliver equitable, uninterrupted comprehensive care for all patients. Target: 80% of patients complete their recommended treatment.
The goal of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025
The overarching goals are to increase awareness and promote behaviour change for early detection of breast cancer, advocate for improved access to care and honour persons with lived experience.
Objectives
- To highlight the importance of health promotion, early detection and timely diagnosis linked to comprehensive treatment.
- To foster multisectoral partnerships by engaging stakeholders to co-create and amplify impact.
- To promote equitable access to quality care through adoption and implementation of the GBCI targets.
October 2025 highlights
- Global storytelling campaign: Whether you are a policymaker, health worker, partner, survivor or advocate, we invite you to submit short videos, posts or podcasts showcasing your experience and how you are commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
- Advocacy toolkit: Find us on social media and share your journey using #EveryStoryIsUnique to amplify our message.
- The Third Global Breast Cancer Initiative Informal Partners Meeting: on 8 October, we will convene a partners´ meeting to deliberate on key priority areas and launch a training manual intended to build foundational knowledge, skills and capacity for GBCI implementation. If your country or institution is interested in using this manual, fill in this form and we will provide you with further details.
- Local and regional events: Screenings, outreach, webinars, shows, advocacy activities and more will take place throughout the month.
How to get involved
Be a champion for breast cancer awareness and equity in access to care:
- share your story or amplify others’ to inspire and inform;
- organize awareness events in your community or workplace;
- advocate for policies that improve access to breast cancer services; or
- support your local organization through donations or volunteering.
Join us this October in amplifying voices, sharing stories and driving change. Together, we can build a world where every life touched by breast cancer is empowered and supported to receive the care they need everywhere.