October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month: A Pharmacist’s Role in Saving Lives
Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD • October 13, 2025
Breast Cancer Awareness: A Pharmacist’s Call to Action
Every October, the world turns pink to raise awareness about breast cancer, the most common cancer among women globally. But beyond the ribbons and campaigns, this is a call to action for healthcare professionals—especially pharmacists—to make a measurable impact on patient outcomes.
Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters
1 in 8
women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. American Cancer Society
In 2022, breast cancer caused an estimated 670,000 deaths
worldwide. WHO fact sheet
Early detection through screening and education significantly improves survival rates. WHO
Key Risk Factors
Non‑modifiable: Female gender, age >40, family history, genetic mutations (BRCA1/2).
Modifiable: Obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical inactivity, and prolonged hormone therapy. WHO
Screening Recommendations
USPSTF (2024): Biennial mammography for women aged 40–74 years. USPSTF Final Recommendation
High‑risk patients: May require earlier and more frequent screening (e.g., BRCA mutation carriers). Pharmacy Times
Pharmacists’ Role in Breast Cancer Awareness
Pharmacists are among the most accessible healthcare professionals. Here’s how you can contribute:
1. Patient Education
- Counsel on risk factors, screening intervals, and self‑breast exams.
- Dispel myths about mammography (e.g., pain, radiation fears).
- Provide multilingual educational materials to improve health literacy. Pharmacy Times
2. Screening Advocacy
- Encourage eligible patients to schedule mammograms.
- Identify high‑risk individuals during medication reviews (e.g., those on hormone therapy). Doximity Op‑Med
3. Medication Management
- Support adherence to endocrine therapy (e.g., tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors), which often lasts 5–10 years.
- Monitor for drug interactions and manage adverse effects (e.g., hot flashes, bone loss). Pharmacy Times
4. Equity and Access
- Address disparities in screening and treatment, especially among minority populations.
- Advocate for affordable screening programs and patient navigation services. NCODA PQI: Role of Pharmacy in Equitable Breast Cancer Care (PDF)
Educational Impact
A recent study showed that pharmacist‑led educational interventions significantly improved awareness of breast cancer symptoms, screening practices, and self‑examination rates—from 2.5%
to 93.8%
post‑intervention. BMC Women’s Health
Call to Action
This October, let’s go beyond awareness—let’s act:
- Host breast health education sessions in your pharmacy or university.
- Share evidence‑based resources on social media.
- Collaborate with local health organizations for screening drives.
Remember:
Early detection saves lives, and pharmacists are key players in this fight.
References
- World Health Organization. Breast Cancer Fact Sheet. WHO [who.int]
- Pharmacy Times. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Practical Actions for Pharmacists. Pharmacy Times [pharmacytimes.com]
- BMC Women’s Health. Impact of Pharmacist-Led Educational Services in Promoting Breast Cancer Awareness. BMC [bmcwomensh...entral.com]
- Doximity. How Pharmacists Can Help With Breast Cancer Screening. Op-Med [opmed.doximity.com]
- Pharmacy Times. Pharmacist Role in Breast Cancer Treatment. Pharmacy Times [pharmacytimes.com]
- NCODA. Role of Pharmacy in Equitable Breast Cancer Care. NCODA [ncoda.org]
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