World Breast Cancer Research Day: Honoring history, science, and the fight for a cure

Every year on August 18, the world comes together to recognize World Breast Cancer Research Day, a day dedicated to the life-changing research that has transformed breast cancer care and continues to push us closer to a cure.

The date serves as a reminder of the sobering reality: 1 in 8 women and 1 in 833 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. Globally, breast cancer makes up 12% of all diagnosed cancers, while in the US, it accounts for 30% of new female cancer cases annually, according to the American Cancer Society. For men, an estimated 2,800 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected each year.

Look back at the history of breast cancer research

Breast cancer is not a modern disease; it can be traced as far back as 3000 BC, when ancient Greeks made breast-shaped offerings to Asclepius, the god of medicine.

Hippocrates later theorized that breast cancer was a systemic disease, an idea that held until the 1700s, when French physician Henri Le Dran suggested surgery could provide a cure. The late 1800s saw the first mastectomy, which was moderately effective but left survivors with significant challenges. Breakthroughs continued: the Curies’ discovery of radium in 1898 paved the way for early radiation treatments, precursors to today’s chemotherapy.

By the 1930s, combining surgery with targeted radiation improved both outcomes and quality of life. Over the decades, research has built on these advances, leading to modern treatment options, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and increasingly, targeted therapies delivered intravenously or in pill form.

Today, science has added an even more powerful tool: genetic testing. By identifying mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, individuals with a family history of breast cancer can better understand their risk and make proactive choices.

Why this day matters

While October has long been associated with breast cancer awareness, World Breast Cancer Research Day ensures that the focus extends beyond one month of advocacy. It serves as a reminder that research is the cornerstone of progress and that those impacted by the disease deserve ongoing global support.The day was established in May 2021 by the Dr. Susan Love Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, an organization that made it its mission to center the voices of patients and drive forward groundbreaking studies.

In 2024, the Tower Cancer Research Foundation carried that legacy forward, creating the Dr. Susan Love Fund for Breast Cancer Research to expand resources and strengthen the fight against the disease.

Symptoms of breast cancer

We must ensure there is enough awareness about breast cancer so that people recognize the warning signs early and don’t ignore them. Early detection can make a life-changing difference, and awareness is the first step toward saving lives.Watch for changes such as a lump in the breast or underarm, swelling or thickening in part of the breast, or skin that looks dimpled or irritated. Redness or flaky skin around the nipple, pain in the nipple area, or the nipple turning inward can also be signs. Other symptoms may include unusual discharge from the nipple (including blood) or changes in the size or shape of the breast.