Global Campaign to Combat Breast Cancer: Dozens of Free Rallies, Marching Band Performances, Prevention Resources Coming to Cities Across the Globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. — From Phuket, Thailand, to Santa Monica, Calif., thousands of survivors, organizers, and community members will rally this Breast Cancer Awareness season so women everywhere can learn the lifesaving message of prevention.

Led by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a health advocacy nonprofit of 17,000 doctors, the free events, which begin Sept. 7, will raise awareness of strategies that can help thwart breast cancer. They’ll feature performances by local marching bands, testimonials from those impacted by breast cancer, plant-based food samples, and more.

Statistics show one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, in 2022, the latest year for which mortality data are available, 42,211 women died of breast cancer. And the disease disproportionately affects Black women, who have a higher rate of death from breast cancer than white women.

The Physicians Committee encourages people to reduce breast cancer risk by following the research-backed four-pronged approach:

• Eat a whole food, plant-based diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit alcohol.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

A recent Physicians Committee/Morning Consult survey showed just 28% of U.S. women are aware of the link between diet and breast cancer.

The poll included 2,017 women interviewed July 25, 2024, to July 28, 2024. When prompted with a follow-up question about which specific foods might reduce breast cancer risk, 23% mentioned vegetables, and 16% mentioned fruits. Only 17% were aware that soy products reduce breast cancer risk, while 16% erroneously said that soy increases the risk of developing breast cancer.

The survey highlights a significant lack of awareness of the link between diet and breast cancer. By bringing education to dozens of communities, the campaign aims to address this knowledge gap.

Dr. Kristi Funk, a breast cancer surgeon and leading prevention expert from Los Angeles, said, “It’s clear that millions of women have yet to hear the lifesaving message that what they eat and drink strongly influences their chances of developing breast cancer. Science shows nearly 50% of cases are preventable through diet and lifestyle, at least in theory, and in my opinion, 80 to 90% of cases could be avoided.”

For more information on the steps women can take to decrease their chances of developing breast cancer, and to find a rally near you, visit www.LetsBeatBreastCancer.org.