Have you ever wondered why there are so many cancer and health-related awareness dates? Knowing about cancer awareness months is crucial for various reasons. These designated times focus on educating the public about specific cancers, promoting early detection and screenings, and encouraging preventive measures like breast self-exams. They also offer valuable opportunities for donations, support and advocacy, driving research funding and enhancing patient care. For SHAREing & CAREing, one of our most important months is October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During October we’re often asked to speak at local community events. Our biggest fundraiser of the year, our Annual Benefit & Silent Auction, is also held in October.
For individuals personally affected by cancer, awareness months provide access to additional resources and a sense of community. Additionally, these months help reduce social stigma, influence public policy, and guide healthcare planning. By staying informed about cancer awareness months and their dates, you can participate in meaningful activities, support crucial causes, and make well-informed health decisions.
Below is a comprehensive list of cancer awareness months and other significant health holidays, designed to help you stay engaged and proactive in the fight against cancer.
January
- Cervical Health Awareness Month
February
- National Cancer Prevention Month
- American Heart Month
- February 4th: World Cancer Day
- February 14th: National Donor Day
- February 15th: International Childhood Cancer Day
- Third Friday in February: Caregivers Day
- February 29th (28th in non leap years): Rare Disease Day
March
- National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
- Myeloma Awareness Month
- Kidney Cancer Awareness Month
- March 4th: International HPV Awareness Day
- March 4th: World Obesity Day
- March 8th: International Women’s Day
- March 9th: World Kidney Day
- Third week in March: Kick Butts Day
April
- Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cancer Control Month
- National Minority Cancer Awareness Month
- National Oral, Head, & Neck Cancer Awareness Month
- Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
- First week in April: National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week
- April 7th: World Health Day
- April 18th: World Exercise Day
May
- Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
- Brain Tumor Awareness Month
- National Cancer Research Month
- National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection & Prevention Month
- National Neurofibromatosis Month
- Oncology Nursing Month
- First Monday in May: Melanoma Monday
- May 8th: World Ovarian Cancer Day
- Week beginning on Mothers Day: Women’s Health Week
- Second Monday in May: Women’s Checkup Day
- May 31st: World No Tobacco Day
June
- Cancer Immunotherapy Month
- Cancer Survivors Month
- Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
- June 2nd: National Cancer Survivors Day
- Week that ends on Father’s Day: Men’s Health Week
- June 20th: World Kidney Cancer Day
- June 13th: National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week
July
- UV Safety Month
- Sarcoma & Bone Cancer Awareness Month
- July 13th: GIST Awareness Day
- Third Wednesday in July: Glioblastoma Awareness Day
August
- Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
- World Cancer Support Month
- National Immunization Awareness Month
- August 1st: World Lung Cancer Day
- August 18th: World Breast Cancer Research Day
September
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
- National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Pain Awareness Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
- Third Tuesday in September: Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day
- September 24th: World Cancer Research Day
- Last Sunday in September: National Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Week
October
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Liver Cancer Awareness Month
- October 2nd: World No Alcohol Day
- Second Saturday in October: World Hospice & Palliative Care Day
- October 13th: Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
- October 17th-23rd: Male Breast Cancer Week
- Third Week in October: National Health Quality Week
- Third Friday in October: National Mammography Day
November
- Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- National Family Caregivers Month
- National Hospice & Palliative Care Month
- National Marrow Awareness Month
- National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
- National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
- First Wednesday in November: National Healthy Eating Day
- November 10th: World Neuroendocrine Tumor Awareness Day
- Third Thursday in November: Great American Smokeout
- November 21th: World Pancreatic Cancer Day
December
- December 1st: World AIDS Day
- December 6th: National Influenza Immunization Week