World Breast Cancer Research Day 2025: Progress, Awareness, and Hope

World Breast Cancer Research Day 2025: Honoring Progress, Fueling Hope

Yesterday, on August 18, the global oncology community marked World Breast Cancer Research Day, an observance dedicated to celebrating the breakthroughs in breast cancer science and encouraging continued research momentum. More than a moment on the calendar, this day stands as a reminder that the fight against breast cancer must persist beyond the pink ribbons of October.

Reflecting on History and Impact

Established in the early 2020s by the Dr. Susan Love Foundation, World Breast Cancer Research Day separates itself from the wider Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. Its mission is bold but simple: shine a light on the vital importance of research, its dedication to breakthroughs, better treatments, and well-earned cures.

Contrast this with the pervasive awareness culture of October, often criticized for superficial “pinkwashing.” World Breast Cancer Research Day re-centers the conversation, emphasizing the substance of scientific discovery over symbolism.

Read about Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2024 covered by Oncodaily here.

Breaking Through the Myths

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. In 2024, an estimated 310,720 new invasive breast cancers and 56,500 cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were diagnosed among women in the United States . These figures highlight the ongoing need for effective prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.

Looking ahead, projections for 2025 indicate a continued burden. In the United States alone, an estimated 316,950 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, with approximately 42,170 deaths expected . These statistics emphasize the urgency of advancing research and improving care to reduce the impact of breast cancer globally.

The table is taken from the recent report of Cancer.org. Read the whole report here. 

Why This Day Matters

World Breast Cancer Research Day serves multiple critical purposes. First, it amplifies the achievements of researchers, clinicians, and advocates, individuals who have driven improvements in detection methods, surgical techniques, precision therapies, and patient survival. Secondly, it emphasizes that research is a continuous journey, not limited to a single month, but a year-round endeavor rooted in science, funding, and community support.

Beyond the Ribbon: Real Change

Unlike the visual uniformity of October’s pink campaigns, this day invites communities, institutions, and individuals to participate in intelligent advocacy: fund meaningful research, amplify underfunded areas like metastatic or lobular breast cancer, and help foster science-based awareness. For instance, while Breast Cancer Research Month raises vital funds, entities like the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) have invested hundreds of millions into global research programs, from basic science to clinical trials.

Breast Cancer: Symptoms Causes, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment – Oncodaily

In addition to global research efforts, many influencers, healthcare organizations, and pharmaceutical companies took to social media to raise awareness about World Breast Cancer Research Day 2025.

At OncoDaily, we’ve gathered some of the most notable social media posts from the oncology community in observance of World Breast Cancer Research Day 2025. Scroll down to see how these posts highlight efforts to educate the public, and emphasize the critical role of ongoing breast cancer research.

AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RESEARCH FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT:

“International Breast Cancer Research Day: A Global hashtag for Science, Solidarity, and Survival
Breast cancer knows no borders – and neither should our fight against it. This global day reminds us that collaboration saves lives, innovation must be shared, and every woman, everywhere deserves access to care.
Global Action: 2.3M+ cases yearly call for unified research
Shared Science: Trials like MINDACT prove cross-border power
Equity Matters: From mobile mammography to local training
Voices Rise: Survivor advocacy shaping global priorities
The Future: Together, we can move from inequality to elimination
Are we investing enough in collaborative research that reflects global realities?
How can we ensure that breast cancer innovations reach women in low-resource settings?”

Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre:

“On World Breast Cancer Research Day, we celebrate groundbreaking strides in oncology research.
Prof. Anthonia C. Sowunmi, Head of Radiation Oncology at Medserve-LUTH Cancer Centre, leads the ARETTA trial – the first biomarker-informed HER2-positive neoadjuvant breast cancer trial generating efficacy and safety data locally in Sub-Saharan Africa.
By bridging gaps in breast cancer data and advancing radiotherapy standards, Prof. Sowunmi is shaping the future of cancer care in Nigeria and inspiring the next generation of women in science.”

Kamira Maharaj:

“In this article, published in Trinidad & Tobago Newsday, I shared my thoughts on Caribbean innovation in celebration of World Breast Cancer Research Day.

“BREAST cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women in TT, according to Health Ministry data published in 2025 from the Dr Elizabeth Quamina Cancer Registry.

Although the lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in TT was generally lower than First-World averages (one in 15 in TT versus one in eight in the US), risk of death from breast cancer remains considerably higher among those diagnosed with breast cancer in TT compared to those diagnosed in First-World countries.

Even more troubling are trends that demonstrate a rising cancer burden and relatively high risk of death from breast cancer across the wider Caribbean region.”

Read the full article here.

Eisai Oncology Medical:

“Monday, August 18th is World Breast Cancer Research Day. In honor of the countless people affected by this disease, we are continuously committed to driving innovation for breast cancer patients and their families. Learn more about metastatic breast cancer: BITLY LINK TO: https://ow.ly/qkFs50WwkS9 ”

National Foundation for Cancer Research (NFCR):

“Today is World Breast Cancer Research Day.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women worldwide — with an estimated 313,510 new cases and 42,780 deaths expected in the U.S. in 2024. Yet, thanks to research, more than 4 million breast cancer survivors are living in the U.S. today.

At the National Foundation for Cancer Research, we proudly support scientists leading breakthrough discoveries to improve prevention, early detection, and treatment for breast cancer. Together, we can drive progress toward cures.

Learn more about our impact: https://hubs.ly/Q03DcSD30”

Also, OncoDaily has given list of key opinion leaders in Breast Cancer to follow on X:

Top 100 Xfluencers in Breast Cancer: Key Opinion Leaders to Follow on X (Twitter) in 2024

Written by Sergey Badalyan, MD