October and the Color Pink: The Association with Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

This international campaign, held every October, aims to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for research into its causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

Origins of the Campaign

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) was launched in October 1985 through a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries. The goal was to promote mammograms as a crucial tool in the fight against breast cancer.

Former First Lady Betty Ford, a survivor of the disease, helped kick off this initiative following her diagnosis during her husband Gerald Ford's presidency.

In 1992, the pink ribbon was introduced as a symbol of this campaign.

The History of the Pink Ribbon

Colored ribbons have a rich history that predates Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In 1979, the wife of a hostage in Iran tied yellow ribbons around trees as a symbol of hope. Later, AIDS activists adapted this idea and used a red ribbon to honor those battling the disease.

The use of ribbons as symbols for charitable organizations became established in 1992, a year the New York Times declared "The Year of the Ribbon."

The Color Pink

While pink is now the color most associated with breast cancer, this wasn't always the case. In 1992, the original color was peach. Alexandra Penney, editor of Self magazine, sought to build on the success of the previous year's breast cancer edition. She wanted to distribute ribbons, and although Charlotte Haley, who had created peach ribbons to honor her loved ones affected by the disease, rejected her offer, pink was adopted as a symbol by Self and Estée Lauder.

Since then, the pink ribbon has gained worldwide recognition, particularly through the Susan G. Komen organization, which has used this color since 1982.

Sources

A Brief History of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (2019, October 17).

Brevard Health Alliance.The Pink Ribbon Story. Susan G. Komen.Fernández, S. Pretty in Pink. Breast Cancer Action.