How Was Breast Cancer Awareness Month Started?
The Introduction of the Mammogram
Breast cancer has one of the longest histories of diagnosis of any form of cancer, with the earliest reference attributed to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. But the first major event to lay the foundation for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month didn't occur until 1967, when mammograms were found to be an effective means of early detection of breast cancer. After the development and spread of the mammogram, pharmaceutical companies began working on breast cancer treatments in earnest.
The First Campaign
In the early 1970s, ICI Pharmaceuticals began a series of successful tests and development efforts for Tamoxifen, the drug that has since grown to become the world's most popular breast cancer treatment. In 1985, by which time ICI Pharmaceuticals had changed its name to AstraZeneca, the medical community was well aware that too many women were dying of breast cancer because they did not know about mammograms and other early detection methods. In October of that year, AstraZeneca engaged in heavy advertising and grassroots promotion of the importance of early breast cancer detection, naming the month of October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the process. The pharmaceutical company was aided by the two founding members of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians and CancerCare, Inc., who joined AstraZeneca in a week-long marketing and media blitz.
The Growth of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The purpose and focus of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has expanded since then to include a variety of breast cancer issues, but emphasizing the importance of early detection remains the most prominent message. The Board of Sponsors has grown to include 19 key organizations and foundations in the health care industry. While these members, AstraZeneca and its National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Organization all technically serve as official extensions of the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month brand, October is embraced by all breast cancer organizations and by the public at large as the month of breast cancer awareness.
Tags: Awareness Month, Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness, National Breast, National Breast Cancer, Cancer Awareness
