Breast Cancer Awareness Month: 1st–31st October 2026
Introduction: Global health commemorative days and scientific conferences provide platforms to raise awareness about priority public health issues and to share evidence for action. The October–December quarter includes days dedicated to mental health, breast cancer, infection prevention, pneumonia, diabetes, antimicrobial resistance and HIV, alongside national, professional and continental scientific conferences among others. These occasions offer governments, institutions, partners, communities and individuals an opportunity to strengthen advocacy, improve public understanding, and promote actions that contribute to better health outcomes.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide; in 2022, 2.3 million women were diagnosed and 670,000 died from the disease.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed every October to raise awareness of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. In Uganda, more than 4,000 new cases are recorded each year, and nearly 80% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment outcomes are poorer. Echoing the Uganda Cancer Institute’s message that early detection saves lives, the month encourages women to perform regular breast self-examination, attend clinical breast examination and seek care promptly for any breast lump or change. Health facilities and community health workers are encouraged to use the month to expand screening and referral for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Authors: Winfred Nakaweesi1*, Allan Amandu1, Robert Masamba Namisi2, Irene Ayaa1
Institutional affiliation: 1Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda; 2Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program-Laboratory Leadership Program; Uganda National Institute of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
*Correspondence: Email: wnakaweesi@uniph.go.ug; Tel: +256774572807
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