National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program is dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance of the early detection of breast cancer through a nationwide educational campaign directed at the general public, state and federal governments, health care professionals, employers, and women of all ages and ethnic groups.

The sponsors of the NBCAM campaign include 19 national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to raise awareness and provide access to screening services. The first week-long NBCAM program took place in October 1985 with a goal to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. The third Friday in October each year is National Mammography Day, first proclaimed by President Clinton in 1993. On this day, or throughout the month, radiologists provide discounted or free screening mammograms.

Partnership Activities

As a member of the board of sponsors, CDC supports the efforts of NBCAM to increase awareness of the importance of the early detection of breast cancer. By increasing public awareness of the importance of screening, NBCAM's nationwide campaign directly supports the efforts of the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). NBCCEDP brings critical breast and cervical cancer screening services to underserved women, including older women, women with low incomes, and women of racial and ethnic minority groups. CDC supports early detection programs in 50 states, the District of Columbia, six territories, and 16 programs that serve American Indians and Alaska Natives.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
PO Box 15437
Wilmington, DE 19850-5437
Toll-free: (877) 88-NBCAM (877-886-2226)
Telephone: (202) 861-6753
Fax: (202) 293-2352
www.nbcam.org*

*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.