THINK PINK
Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer & Health Equity
Hey gym besties!
It is officially spooky season. While last October I used this opportunity to talk about the “scariest” gym myths I’ve seen, this month we’re going to talk about a special October holiday that is relevant to all our wellbeing — breast cancer.
BUT, if you want me address some of your gym myths, respond to this email with your questions and I can do a special edition!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and stand together in support of early detection, access to care, and health equity. It’s also a reminder of the incredible strength, resilience, and solidarity found within our communities.
So let’s get into how breast cancer impacts our loved ones, how to proactively prevent the disease (for yourself and loved ones), and how to fight for a cure together.
Key Facts & Figures About Breast Cancer
Here’s a snapshot of the data:
In 2025, in the U.S., it is estimated there will be 316,950 new cases of invasive breast cancer among women, plus 59,080 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer (DCIS).
It is also estimated there will be 42,170 breast cancer deaths among women in 2025.
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women (excluding some skin cancers).
Globally, breast cancer’s burden is rising: in 2020, there were ~2.3 million new cases and 685,000 deaths. By 2040, projections suggest ~3 million new cases and 1 million deaths annually if trends hold.
These numbers are not just data points; they represent lives, families, and communities.
Health Equity & Structural Barriers: How Communities of Color Are Disproportionately Affected
Disparities in outcomes
Black women are ~40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women, even though their incidence is slightly lower.
Black women tend to be diagnosed at younger ages (median age ~61 vs ~65 for White women).
They are more likely to have more aggressive subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is harder to treat and more likely to recur.
Barriers & systemic drivers
Here are some of the systemic and social determinants that drive inequities:
Access to screening & diagnosis: Women in underserved communities may have fewer facilities nearby, less transportation, or less flexible work schedules to attend mammography appointments.
Insurance and cost: Underinsurance, lack of Medicaid expansion in some states, high out-of-pocket costs, and gaps in coverage delay care.
Delays in follow-up: After an abnormal screening, delays in diagnostic work-up (biopsy, imaging) are more common in marginalized populations.
Quality of treatment: In many cases, women of color receive lower-quality care, less access to advanced therapies, or suboptimal treatment regimens.
Structural racism, discrimination, and mistrust: Experiences of bias, microaggressions, and mistrust of the medical system can discourage seeking care or following through with treatment.
Socioeconomic factors & comorbidities: Higher prevalence of comorbid conditions (e.g. obesity, diabetes, hypertension) in some communities can complicate treatment and outcomes.
Information & navigation gaps: Lack of culturally sensitive outreach, community health navigators, or resources to help people understand options and barriers. The Komen landscape work highlights the need for community-based interventions.
Addressing these challenges requires multi-level solutions, which means we all need to be working at the policy, community, system, and individual levels to create change.
Taking Action
Because awareness doesn’t stop at knowledge — it’s about action. Here are steps you can take to promote health, prevention, and equity:
For Your Health
Stay up to date with screening guidelines: talk with your healthcare provider about when to start mammograms or supplemental imaging depending on your risk profile (family history, genetic predisposition, dense breast tissue, etc.).
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: regular physical activity, healthy diet, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight — all of which can reduce breast cancer risk or recurrence.
Know your family history and discuss it with your doctor. If there is a strong cancer history, ask about genetic counseling and testing.
Advocate for yourself: if you receive an abnormal screening, insist on timely follow-up and referrals.
If you face barriers (transportation, cost, scheduling), look for free or low-cost screening programs or mobile mammography units in your area.
Be consistent with self-exams and body awareness.
For your community & beyond
Share knowledge: Use your platform (social media, newsletter, conversations) to share basic breast health information. Sometimes people don’t know they need to ask or insist on care.
Host or partner events: Organize or support local screening drives, mobile mammography events, health fairs, or breast health education workshops.
Support advocacy & policy: Encourage expansion of Medicaid, support legislation for equitable access to screening/treatment, and back organizations working to reduce disparities.
Fundraise or donate: Donate to or volunteer for nonprofits focused on breast cancer equity and support (e.g., Susan G. Komen, National Breast Cancer Coalition, local breast health organizations).
