Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2027 runs from Friday, October 1, to Sunday, October 31, 2027. Held every October since 1985, it encourages screening and raises money for research, with the pink ribbon as its symbol.
The month includes several awareness days, such as National Mammography Day on Friday, October 15, 2027. This guide covers the dates, the history, key facts, and screening advice.
Key takeaways
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October every year; in 2027, it runs from Friday, October 1, to Sunday, October 31.
- It began in 1985, and the pink ribbon became its symbol in 1992.
- About 321,910 US women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2026, according to the American Cancer Society.
- The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 40 to 74.
Table of Contents
When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2027?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2027 is October 1–31, 2027. It starts on a Friday and ends on a Sunday, Halloween.
When is breast cancer awareness day?
There is no single breast cancer awareness day. Instead, several days during October focus on different parts of the cause:
| Day | 2027 date | Rule | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day | Wednesday, October 13 | October 13 each year | People living with stage 4 breast cancer |
| National Mammography Day | Friday, October 15 | Third Friday of October | Booking a mammogram |
| DÃa Internacional de la Lucha contra el Cáncer de Mama | Tuesday, October 19 | October 19 each year | Marked in many Spanish-speaking countries |
| Wear It Pink | A Friday in October | Set each year by Breast Cancer Now (UK) | Fundraising by wearing pink |
How did Breast Cancer Awareness Month start?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month began in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries, to teach women about mammogram screening.
It started as a week-long event, with support from leaders including former First Lady Betty Ford, and grew into the month-long observance held every October (Rutgers).
How did the pink ribbon start?
The pink ribbon began as a peach ribbon. In 1991, Charlotte Haley handmade peach ribbons to push the National Cancer Institute to spend more of its budget on prevention.
When she turned down requests from Self magazine and Estée Lauder to use her ribbon, they created a pink one instead (Rutgers).
In 1992, Estée Lauder handed out 1.5 million pink ribbons, launching the first nationwide campaign with the symbol. That is why many people call October “Pinktober.”
Breast cancer facts
About 1 in 8 US women, or about 13%, will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
| Fact (US, 2026 estimates) | Figure |
|---|---|
| New cases of invasive breast cancer in women | About 321,910 |
| New cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) | About 60,730 |
| Deaths from breast cancer among women | About 42,140 |
| Lifetime risk for a woman | About 13%, or 1 in 8 |
| Breast cancer survivors in the US | More than 4 million |
Source: American Cancer Society. DCIS is an early, non-invasive form of breast cancer found inside the milk ducts.
When should you get a mammogram?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 40 to 74. The task force finalized this advice on April 30, 2024, lowering the starting age from 50 (AuntMinnie).
Women with a higher risk, such as a strong family history, may need to start earlier or be screened more often. Talk to a doctor about the right plan for you.
If you have low income or no insurance, the CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program helps pay for screening, and many hospitals run free or low-cost mammogram events in October.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month around the world
October is breast cancer awareness month in many countries, under local names.
| Name | Language or country |
|---|---|
| Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pinktober | English |
| Octobre Rose | French (France and other French-speaking countries) |
| Octubre Rosa, Mes de la lucha contra el cáncer de mama | Spanish |
| Outubro Rosa | Portuguese (Brazil) |
Breast Cancer Awareness Month ideas
- Book a mammogram: if you are 40 to 74 and due for screening, use National Mammography Day, October 15, 2027, as a reminder.
- Wear pink: join a Wear It Pink or pink day at work or school.
- Join a walk: charity walks and runs take place across the US and UK in October.
- Make posters or a display: schools and offices often share facts and the pink ribbon; use figures from trusted sources.
- Support someone in treatment: offer meals, rides to appointments, or simply company.
Other health months in 2027 are listed in the Awareness Calendar 2027.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month dates 2026 to 2031
| Year | Month | National Mammography Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday, October 1 – Saturday, October 31 | Friday, October 16 |
| 2027 | Friday, October 1 – Sunday, October 31 | Friday, October 15 |
| 2028 | Sunday, October 1 – Tuesday, October 31 | Friday, October 20 |
| 2029 | Monday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 31 | Friday, October 19 |
| 2030 | Tuesday, October 1 – Thursday, October 31 | Friday, October 18 |
| 2031 | Wednesday, October 1 – Friday, October 31 | Friday, October 17 |
Frequently asked questions
When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2027?
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2027 runs from Friday, October 1, to Sunday, October 31, 2027.
Is October Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
Yes, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the US and many other countries.
When is breast cancer awareness day?
There is no single day. National Mammography Day is the third Friday of October (October 15, 2027), and Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is October 13.
Why is the breast cancer ribbon pink?
Self magazine and Estée Lauder created the pink ribbon in the early 1990s, after Charlotte Haley’s original ribbon was peach. Estée Lauder handed out 1.5 million in 1992.
At what age should you start getting mammograms?
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a mammogram every two years from age 40 to 74. Ask a doctor if you have a higher risk.
How common is breast cancer?
About 1 in 8 US women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
