Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Why We Must Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Promote BRCA Testing

Every October, pink ribbons appear everywhere, from social media feeds to shopping malls, symbolising a collective push to raise awareness about breast cancer. Walks, campaigns, and slogans flood the public sphere, all aiming to spotlight a disease that touches millions of women worldwide. Yet, amid all this visibility, a crucial part of the conversation often remains missing. While women are reminded to check for lumps or to schedule mammograms, few know about genetic risk factors, such as mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which can dramatically increase the likelihood of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Awareness alone is not enough; knowledge, early detection, and action are what save lives.

Why is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Significant?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally, and India is no exception. Nearly two lakh women are diagnosed with the disease each year in the country, and it accounts for a significant portion of all cancers affecting women. Globally, over two million new cases are reported annually. The rising numbers are alarming, but what is even more concerning is that a majority of these cancers in India are detected at advanced stages, making treatment more complicated and survival less likely. In many cases, women do not experience noticeable symptoms until the disease has progressed, emphasising the importance of proactive screening, education, and preventive measures.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is meant to bridge this gap, providing a focused period to encourage women to learn about their risks, conduct self-examinations, and seek medical guidance. Beyond awareness, the month aims to normalise conversations about breast health, breaking long-standing taboos that prevent women from discussing symptoms or concerns with family, friends, or healthcare providers. Awareness campaigns can also drive access to screening facilities, including free mammogram camps or mobile diagnostic vans, especially in underserved regions. Additionally, visibility during this month can influence policy and funding, encouraging governments and organisations to allocate resources toward cancer prevention and early detection programs. Importantly, it also provides a platform to reach younger women and those with a family history of breast cancer, highlighting the role of genetics in disease risk.

 What Is BRCA? 

Among genetic risk factors, BRCA mutations are some of the most significant yet least understood. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are tumour suppressor genes that help repair damaged DNA. When these genes carry harmful mutations, the body’s ability to prevent cancerous changes diminishes. Women with a harmful BRCA mutation face a lifetime breast cancer risk greater than sixty per cent, compared to roughly thirteen per cent in the general population. The risk of ovarian cancer is also substantially higher, reaching as much as fifty-eight per cent for BRCA1 carriers and twenty-nine per cent for BRCA2 carriers. For women already diagnosed with breast cancer, carrying a BRCA mutation increases the likelihood of developing cancer in the opposite breast later.

The problem, however, is that most women remain unaware of BRCA testing. Many only discover a harmful mutation after a breast cancer diagnosis, missing the chance for early preventive measures. Knowing BRCA status before cancer develops can enable enhanced surveillance, medications, or even prophylactic surgeries, which can reduce risk and improve survival. Delayed identification, on the other hand, often results in advanced disease requiring aggressive treatments, reducing quality of life and survival chances.

How Can We Bring About a Change?

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month to have a transformative impact, it must move beyond symbolic gestures and general messaging. Public campaigns should highlight the importance of understanding genetic risk and provide clear guidance on when BRCA testing may be appropriate. This can be complemented by genetic counselling and testing drives, much like mammogram camps, to make services accessible to women who might otherwise not have the opportunity.

Healthcare providers play a critical role as well, and equipping doctors with the knowledge and tools to discuss genetic testing can make a tangible difference in early detection and prevention. Advocacy for subsidised testing and insurance coverage is equally important, ensuring that cost does not prevent women from taking proactive steps for their health. Community outreach through mobile health units and local women’s groups can reach rural and underserved populations, further narrowing the awareness gap.

Where Can You Get Your BRCA Test Done:

Metropolis Healthcare