📌 What is Pink October? A worldwide mobilization
Every year, the month of October is adorned in pink to highlight a major public health issue: the fight against breast cancer. The pink ribbon, which has become a universal symbol, embodies solidarity, prevention and hope.
The story of Pink October began in 1992 in the United States, under the impetus of Alexandra Penney (Self Magazine) and Evelyn H. Lauder (Estée Lauder). The initiative soon spread internationally, and in 1994 France adopted Pink October with the "Le Cancer du Sein, Parlons-en" campaign.
Today, October Rose is more than just a symbolic campaign: it's a time for collective mobilization, when associations, institutions and healthcare professionals work together to promote early detection and support research.
📊 Breast cancer in figures: a public health priority
Today, October Rose is more than just a symbolic campaign: it's a time for collective mobilization, when associations, institutions and healthcare professionals work together to promote early detection and support research.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women, and is a major public health issue:
- 61,000 new cases every year in France (Santé Publique France)
- 12,000 deaths a year
- 33% of female cancers worldwide
- 60% detected at an early stage
- 87% 5-year survival rate thanks to medical advances
👉 These figures are a reminder of the crucial importance of prevention and organized screening, particularly between the ages of 50 and 74, with mammography every two years.
🔍 The main risk factors for breast cancer
Several factors influence the risk of developing breast cancer:
- Family history ( BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations)
- Age (increased risk after age 50)
- Prolonged hormonal exposure
- Obesity, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption
- Environmental factors and endocrine disruptors
📌 According to experts, nearly 20,000 cases could be avoided each year by acting on modifiable risk factors (lifestyle, prevention, physical activity).
⚕️ Therapeutic advances and medical research
💉 Innovative, personalized treatments
In recent years, research has led to major advances:
- Trodelvy + Keytruda: an effective combination for triple-negative cancers expressing PD-L1.
- Itovebi (inavolisib): a new targeted therapy for HR+/HER2- metastatic cancers with PIK3CA mutation.
These approaches individualize treatment, reduce side effects and improve quality of life.
🌐 Artificial intelligence for diagnosis
AI now plays a central role in :
- Medical imaging (mammography, ultrasound, MRI)
- Predictive riskanalysis
- Clinical research with big data analysis
AI-assisted portable ultrasound devices are also being tested to improve access to screening in under-medicalized areas.
🧑⚕️ The essential role of pharmacists during Pink October
As local healthcare professionals, pharmacists are key players in this fight. They have three main roles to play:
🎯 Raising awareness and providing information
- Distribution of prevention materials
- Warning signs (nodule, discharge, skin changes)
- Self-monitoring education
🤝 Promoting screening
- Referral to radiology centers
- Collaboration with CPTS, associations and local structures
💬 Supporting patients
- Advice on treatment side effects
- Help with medication compliance
- A place to listen and reassure
Dispensaries are also involved in local mobilization, putting up ribbons and posters, or organizing awareness-raising events.
🌍 Pink October: a collective movement for the future
October Rose is much more than a simple annual campaign: it's a mobilization of citizens, medical professionals and associations, reminding everyone of the importance of prevention and solidarity.
Each player has a role to play:
- Patients and their families, by being alert to warning signs and taking part in screening.
- Healthcare professionals, providing support and guidance.
- Researchers, by pursuing therapeutic innovation.
- Institutions and associations, by coordinating awareness-raising initiatives.
The month of October is a reminder that the fight against breast cancer doesn't stop on October 31.
It continues all year round, through :
- support for research,
- easier access to screening,
- improving care pathways,
- and solidarity with the women affected.
✨ Together, patients, caregivers, associations and citizens, we're making Pink October a real lever of hope and progress for tomorrow.
❓ FAQ - Pink October and breast cancer
1. Why is the month of October associated with the fight against breast cancer?
Because since 1992, the pink ribbon has become a worldwide symbol, worn every October to remind people of the importance of prevention and screening.
2. At what age should I have a mammogram?
Between the ages of 50 and 74, every two years, as part of the organized screening program.
3. Can breast cancer be prevented?
It can't be totally prevented, but a healthy lifestyle greatly reduces the risk.
4. What are the first warning signs?
A nodule, a change in the skin or nipple, or an abnormal discharge should raise the alarm.
5. What role does artificial intelligence play in the fight against breast cancer?
It improves early detection, helps personalize treatments and accelerates clinical research.
6. Why are pharmacists essential during Pink October?
Because they are accessible, educational and a crucial link in informing, guiding and supporting patients.
📚 Useful resources
- Association Ruban Rose: https://www.cancerdusein.org/
- Ligue contre le Cancer: https: //www.ligue-cancer.net/octobre-rose
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation: https: //www.bcrf.org/
- Xiong X,et al. Breast cancer: pathogenesis and treatments. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2025 Feb 19;10(1):49.
- Giaquinto AN, et al. Breast cancer statistics 2024. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 Nov-Dec;74(6):477-495.
Tolaney SM, et al. OptimICE-RD: sacituzumab govitecan + pembrolizumab vs pembrolizumab (± capecitabine) for residual triple-negative breast cancer. Future Oncol. 2024;20(31):2343-2355. - Turner NC, et al. Inavolisib-Based Therapy in PIK3CA-Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2024 Oct 31;391(17):1584-1596.
- McCrorie AD, et al. Mapping the current landscape of locoregional therapy de-escalation trials in early breast cancer: a systematic review. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2025 Mar 30;11(1):32.
- https://www.cpts-sud77.fr/prevention/octobre-rose-fete-ses-30-ans-en-france/ (visited on 09/25/2025)
- https://arxiv.org/abs/2411.07322?
Amirehsan Ghasemi, et al. Explainable artificial intelligence in breast cancer detection and risk prediction: A systematic scoping review. Cancer Innovation 2024;3:e136
