THE HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

PERLA --The initiative commenced in 1985 as a seven-day consciousness-raising effort undertaken by the American Cancer Society in collaboration with Imperial Chemical Industries, a British manufacturer of tamoxifen. This campaign subsequently expanded into a month-spanning observance.

Following 1992, the pink ribbon became a prominent symbol after Alexandra Penney, editor-in-chief of SELF magazine, collaborated with Evelyn Lauder, senior corporate vice president of Estée Lauder and a breast cancer survivor, to distribute pink ribbons in conjunction with the magazine's second annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month publication.

Recent years have witnessed the development of alternative pink ribbon designs intended to acknowledge the diversity of breast cancer experiences. These variations include ribbons dedicated to metastatic breast cancer awareness, breast cancer in men, inflammatory breast cancer, and additional forms.

Perla emerges during this awareness period, which endeavors to inform the public regarding lobular breast cancer, commonly referred to as invasive lobular carcinoma or ILC. Lobular breast cancer, originating in the glandular structures known as breast lobules, demonstrates distinct characteristics and behavioral patterns compared to invasive ductal carcinoma, the predominant breast cancer variant. This distinction renders early identification more challenging. Although breast cancer predominantly affects women, it also impacts men. In 2021, President Joe Biden officially designated October 17 through October 23 as Men's Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

For more info: www.breastcancer.org