Breast Cancer Awareness Month | AACR
Breast cancer is the most common type of non-skin cancer in women in the United States. One in eight U.S. women—about 13%—will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. It is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in American women.
In AACR’s Cancer Today Magazine, the “Your Friends & Neighbors” actress explains how her diagnosis challenged many of her assumptions about breast cancer.
Learn More about Breast Cancer Risk and Treatment
The AACR Blog, Cancer Research Catalyst, explored recent research on determining breast cancer risk, the impact of lifestyle changes on cancer risk, and why screening is important.
The AACR Cancer Progress Report highlighted recent advances in targeted therapies for breast cancer.
The AACR Blog highlighted expert opinions on the treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and more.
Breast Cancer Survivor Stories from AACR Cancer PRogress Reports
AACR is committed to increasing public awareness about cancer and the importance of research for improving health and saving lives from cancer. AACR Cancer Progress Reports are a cornerstone of these educational efforts and the AACR’s advocacy work. The reports highlight advances in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, and also include the personal experiences of cancer survivors who have benefited from these advances. Together with the developments described in the report, these survivor stories provide hope for a much brighter future for cancer patients and their loved ones.
Genetic testing revealed that Carolyn Searles carried a BRCA1 mutation. Diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant, she received chemotherapy after the birth of her son that left her in remission.
Melanie R. Stewart, a Chickahominy Tribe member and breast cancer survivor, discusses the challenge of getting care in rural areas.
Pastor Rhonda Holbert turned her breast cancer diagnosis of stage IIIB inflammatory breast cancer into a lifelong mission to assist and advocate for others.
Breast Cancer Articles from Cancer Today Magazine
Cancer Today is AACR’s consumer magazine. It is the authoritative resource for cancer patients, survivors, and their family members and friends. It features inspiring stories about people who are dealing with cancer; exciting developments in cancer therapy and research; and useful advice to help patients and their families navigate the medical, practical, and emotional issues that surround cancer.
An antibody-drug conjugate extends progression-free survival for people with advanced triple-negative breast cancer.
Best-selling author and breast cancer survivor Judith L. Pearson discusses her new book about three women who helped shape modern-day patient advocacy.
When doctors told Yvonne McLean Florence she was eligible to participate in a research trial testing an experimental drug, she joined. She wants more people to have the same opportunity.
AACR Programs and Initiatives Focused on Breast Cancer
- San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. For nearly 50 years, the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS) has been a critical forum for cutting-edge breast cancer research. AACR has been a key partner in the development of SABCS since 2008. Working with UT Health San Antonio, AACR has helped the Symposium evolve into the largest breast cancer research gathering in the world, with more than 10,000 registered attendees from more than 100 countries.
- Research Funding. Since 1993, AACR has awarded more than $551 million in research grants to more than 3,500 scientists at all career stages—including 19 grants focused on breast cancer research since 2023.
- AACR Project GENIE®. AACR Project GENIE is an international, open-source pancancer registry of real-world clinico-genomic data that catalyzes discovery, informs regulatory strategy, and powers precision oncology. The registry offers valuable insights into the genomic landscape of breast cancer, with genomic data from more than 18,000 breast cancer patients.
Recent FDA Approvals for Breast Cancer Treatments
In May 2026, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki was approved for neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment of HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer.
Palbociclib was approved in June for the treatment of HR-positive, HER2-positive advanced breast cancer.
In May, datopotamab deruxtecan-dlnk was approved to treat PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor-ineligible, advanced triple-negative breast cancer.
