Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025

It is estimated that more than 21,194 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in Australia, and more than 3,500 people will be diagnosed in New Zealand. 

Breast Cancer Trials is working towards a future where no more lives are cut short from breast cancer. Help us achieve our vision by donating today.

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

A woman’s lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia is 1 in 7, and for men it is 1 in 556. This risk in women in New Zealand is 1 in 9.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month plays a critical role in highlighting the impact of breast cancer on individuals and communities. 

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with over 2.3 million women diagnosed each year. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Australia and New Zealand. 

These staggering statistics highlight the urgent need for awareness and action.

Purpose and Goals of Breast Cancer Awareness Month:

• Educate the public about breast cancer prevention, detection, and  treatment: Knowledge is power. BCAM seeks to provide trusted breast cancer information and resources about risk factors, self-exams, and screening guidelines.
• Supporting breast cancer research, clinical trials, and survivors: Funding and awareness help drive critical research initiatives that lead to innovative treatments and support for those affected.
• Encouraging screenings and early detection: Promoting regular screenings can significantly improve survival rates, making early detection a priority during BCAM.

The collective efforts during this month contribute to advancements in treatment options and provide hope to those affected by breast cancer.

When is Breast Cancer Awareness Month?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is held from 1-31 October each year.

The first Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Australia was in 1994, when it was called ‘Australia’s Breast Cancer Day’. The former Chair of our Consumer Advisory Panel, Associate Professor Linda Reaby AM, was a key driver in lobbying the Australian Government for this day, to get people talking about breast cancer and to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease.

Get Involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025:

You can participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by:

• Engaging in community fundraising activities,
• Joining social media campaigns,
• Purchasing awareness merchandise, or
• Making donations to breast cancer research organisations.

Learn More About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Trials provides breast cancer resources to help raise awareness about breast cancer signs and symptoms, detection and treatment.

We regularly host Q&A sessions with leading breast cancer experts to empower the breast cancer community with the latest breast cancer research, clinical trials, and important associated topics.

Subscribe to our e-news to stay up to date with the latest breast cancer information.

Spotlight on Breast Cancer Research and Clinical Trials

Breast Cancer Trials is a research charity which conducts national and international clinical trials. We run the largest oncologist clinical trials research program across Australia and New Zealand, with 980 researchers and 118 participating institutions.

Our research program encompasses approximately 93 clinical trials in various stages of recruitment, follow-up, analysis and publication. This is made possible thanks to the generosity of more than 26,000 supporters, made up of individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations, organisation and community groups.

Since 1978, more than 17,480 people have participated in our clinical trials, to help us find new and better treatments for breast cancer.

For the latest information on our current clinical trials, click here.

Breast Cancer Trial’s Vision

Breast Cancer Trial’s vision is: No More Lives Cut Short. It forms part of our 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, which priortises our goals and activities for the next five years. Our strategic goals are:

• Make meaningful impact by creating the scientific evidence needed for change
• Increase the pace of research
• Secure the funding needed to prevent research delays and accelerate breakthrough discoveries

Your Donation Can Save Lives

Breast Cancer Trials is a leading independent clinical trials research group in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer. 

Your contributions can help fund vital research projects and clinical trials that pave the way for innovative treatments and save lives.

Help us achieve our vision of no more lives cut short from breast cancer. Donate today.