During the breast cancer awareness month, people celebrate by wearing a pink ribbon and a cancer awareness bracelet. These are the items that are mostly associated with breast cancer awareness and those who wear them are usually women who have breast cancer, people who have lost loved ones through breast cancer, people who have a family member who has breast cancer, supporters of the fight against breast cancer, health professionals dealing with people who have breast cancer and the few men who suffer from breast cancer. Humanity has come a long way from the 20′s where doctors where just starting research on the causes and ways of detecting and preventing breast cancer. Due to tools such as breast cancer pink bracelets and ribbons and the breast cancer awareness month, awareness has developed through several stages. These stages include awareness through the media and now many women and men know about breast cancer, early detection through mammograms, knowledge of the treatment options available, etc.

The breast cancer awareness pink color was chosen just as red is used for AIDS awareness and other colors for different things. Due to the awareness through breast cancer pink bracelets and ribbons, a day dedicated to fighting breast cancer and media campaigns, women now accept that it is OK to have breast cancer. Many men who used to get breast cancer were usually in denial, but campaigns stressing the fact that men too can get breast cancer and that early detection can mean 100% cure rate has made them come out. Another thing that has promoted awareness is national organizations that have promoted activism and increased funding for breast cancer research.

When people, including celebrities, sports personalities and politicians, wear a breast cancer awareness bracelet, there is more awareness and it has made parliaments in many countries to take decisive action to fight breast cancer. This has led to increased funding for breast cancer research, adverts on the media raising awareness, investment in machines for early detection of cancer and other actions aimed at helping to combat the disease.

A breast cancer awareness ribbon and the selected day of cancer awareness among other initiatives, awareness has been increased as to the causes of breast cancer. Women who are over the age of 30, especially those who have a family history of breast cancer, know they are at risk and they are now able to take precautions such as regular mammograms.

Because of the increased awareness, women now know that breastfeeding reduces the risk of getting breast cancer. They also know that exercising at least sixty minutes in a week can reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. They now know the right diet if they are to reduce the risk of getting the disease. All in all, breast cancer awareness month is helping to tame one of man’s greatest killers.