National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Over two decades of building breast cancer awareness and providing information and hope for future innovations in breast cancer treatment

Q: What is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
A: The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is comprised of several national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services.

Q: What is the purpose of NBCAM?
A: Since its beginning more than 20 years ago, NBCAM has been dedicated to increasing awareness of breast cancer issues, especially the importance of early detection. NBCAM has evolved along with the national dialogue on breast cancer. Many strides have been made in breast cancer awareness and treatment, but even more still needs to be accomplished. We are focused on encouraging women to take charge of their own breast health, by practicing regular self-breast exams, making sure to schedule an annual mammogram, adhering to prescribed treatment and knowing the facts about recurrence.

Q: Which month of the year is designated NBCAM?
A: Although the month of October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, at NBCAM, breast cancer awareness and education is a year-round mission.

Q: When was NBCAM founded and by whom?
A: The first NBCAM program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. The two founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and CancerCare, Inc., distributed brochures, spoke to news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography.

Q: What role did Betty Ford and her daughter Susan Ford Bales play in NBCAM?
A: Former First Lady Betty Ford, a breast cancer survivor and one of the first public figures to speak out about the disease, joined her daughter Susan Ford Bales in a televised emotional appeal to call attention to the importance of screening. Soon after, other public figures, industry executives, community leaders, members of the media, nonprofit organizations, and many individual women further galvanized national public interest.

Q: What is the Board of Sponsors of NBCAM and what role do they play?
A: The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign is comprised of 19 national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to raise awareness and provide access to screening services. These groups make up the Board of Sponsors all of whom are listed and described on this web site. The program depends on the efforts of NBCAM Program Leaders to reach women where they live, work, play, and worship. Click on any BOS member web site and learn more about breast cancer, breast health, and the importance of early detection of this disease.