Posted by Dr Michelle Wright
Hello and welcome to Health Matters. I’m Dr Michelle Wright.
It’s October – time to think pink – because it’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
We’ve all come to recognise the pink ribbon as the symbol of breast-cancer awareness. First appearing in 1991 at a race for breast-cancer survivors in New York, a year later Self magazine and Estée Lauder made it a global emblem of hope, compassion, and awareness.
How common is breast cancer?
About 99 percent of breast-cancers occur in women. In higher-income countries, roughly one in 12 women will be diagnosed during their lifetime and one in 71 will die from breast cancer.
In lower-income countries, one in 27 are diagnosed but one in 48 die – largely due to differences in awareness, screening, and access to treatment.
Rates are higher in places like the UK, Europe, and the United States – around one in seven or eight women – reflecting better detection.
Who is most at risk?
Anyone can get breast cancer, but risk increases with age, especially after 50. Dense breast tissue or a previous breast cancer also add risk.
Genetics play a smaller part: having a close relative with breast cancer doubles your risk, but the well-known BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 mutations are rare, found in about one in 450 people, and they cause only around four percent of cases.
Lifestyle matters, too. Alcohol, smoking, excess weight, and low physical activity all contribute, as can radiation exposure.
And hormonal factors such as early periods, late menopause, not having children or having them later, and not breastfeeding can also contribute.
There’s a slight increase with the contraceptive pill and then when Hormone Replacement Therapy it depends on how long you take it for and which type, though for both of these hormonal treatments, in most cases the benefits outweigh the risks.
It’s worth remembering though that about half of all breast cancers occur in women with no identifiable risk factors, apart from being female and over 40.
Why is early detection so important?
The good news is that thanks to advances in detection and treatment, most people now survive breast cancer, but those outcomes depend on catching it early and having timely care.
So, the message is simple: get to know your breasts and if in doubt, check it out!
Regular self-checks and knowing what’s normal for you are powerful tools for early detection.
Here in Switzerland, organised screening usually starts at age 50 and is offered every two years, though not every canton runs a programme.
Of course, screening is a personal choice, so talk with your doctor about what’s right for you.
What can we do to reduce risk and show support?
But beyond screening, prevention means living well: staying active, eating a balanced diet, limiting alcohol, not smoking, and keeping a healthy weight all help reduce risk and improve overall well-being.
Most of all, Pink October is about solidarity. It’s about supporting those affected by breast cancer, celebrating survivors, and encouraging open conversations that replace fear with knowledge.
So, this month, think pink: share information, wear your ribbon with pride, and remind the people you care about to take that small step toward early detection.
