Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month, often referred to as BCAM (pronounced BEE-cam), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.
Etymology
The term "Breast Cancer Awareness Month" is derived from its purpose. "Breast Cancer" refers to the type of cancer that it aims to raise awareness about, and "Awareness Month" signifies the month-long duration of the campaign.
History
Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries (now part of AstraZeneca, producer of several anti-breast cancer drugs). The aim of the campaign was to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
Activities
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a series of activities are organized worldwide. These include health fairs, walks and runs, and the pink illumination of landmark buildings. Charities associated with the campaign also use the month to raise funds for breast cancer research and patient services.
Related Terms
- Mammography: A specific type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts.
- AstraZeneca: A British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company.
- Cancer: A group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body.
- Breast Cancer: A cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Wikipedia's article - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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