After the October Pink Peak: Why November Begins a New Cycle for Breast Cancer Awareness”

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month arrives in a wave of pink ribbons, fundraisers, and emotional, heartfelt messages. For me, October is not just a month, it’s the emotional and symbolic peak of our yearly breast cancer health consciousness. It’s a time when grief and hope collided. My view of October is born from my mom’s long journey with metastatic breast cancer. Her story is woven into the fabrick of the World Change Coalition, launched to honor her memory and to support others breast cancer journeys. 

I’ve come to realize, after the October peak, there is a valley which brings its own power. November, marks a new cycle. It’s a quieter month, less ceremonial, but perhaps even more crucial for real, everyday vigilance about breast cancer health.

So how do we carry that peak spirit into the rest of the year? How do we check in, not just in October, but in November, December, and all the months beyond?

1. Know Your Normal.One of the most profound lessons I learned from watching my mom is that early detection often begins at home. What does “normal” feel like for you? In our blogs, World Change Coalition encourages building awareness of your own baseline – how your breasts normally look and feel, and what changes might signal that something isn’t quite right. 

If we don’t know our own normal, we don’t know when something has shifted and that’s where you can lose precious time.

2. Build a Regular Check-In Habit. Instead of reserving self-exams for October or even every few months, make them a monthly ritual. Pick a date or tie them to existing routines, a hot shower, your self-care Sunday, or your monthly calendar reminder. Write it down. Speak it out. Hold yourself accountable. Knowing your own rhythm means you can identify a change more quickly.

3. Use Professional Tools. Mammograms, ultrasounds, clinical exams: these are our modern tools for staying ahead. The World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative underscores early detection as a powerful way to reduce mortality. Talk with your doctor: when should you start screening? How often? What are your risk factors? Those conversations matter and they shouldn’t just happen during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

4. Reflect and Support. From my journey and as the founder of World Change Coalition, I’ve come to see that awareness is more than a campaign, it’s a gift of empathy. After the emotional high of October, November offers space for reflection: celebrating those on the journey, honoring lost loved ones, centering self-care, and recommitting to others. World Change Coalition’s blog often reflects on this: that the fight, the memory, the love they continue quietly, daily. 

So yes, in October we wave banners, wear ribbons, speak positively and emotionally to support women and men challenged with breast cancer. Let’s not let November fade into complacency. Instead, let’s treat it as the start of a new cycle of intentional and purpose. Let’s commit to monitoring our health all year long, learning and knowing what’s normal, catching changes early, and living not just for awareness, but for action.

Recommended Blog Posts from World Change Coalition

The following are a few blogs I have selected from our website that can help you start into November and the upcoming year.

1. “It’s October: Why Breast Cancer Awareness Month Matters”

   This post explores why October is such a powerful moment, not just for ribbons, but for real, lasting awareness. It helps ground the emotional intensity of the month in personal meaning and reinforces the idea that awareness must be about more than symbolism. 

2. “Hope on the Horizon: Recent Breakthroughs in Metastatic Breast Cancer”

   A very hopeful read. This post dives into recent scientific advances that are changing the landscape for metastatic breast cancer. It’s a reminder that, even after diagnosis, there is progress, and staying informed is a way of staying empowered. 

3. “Healing Hearts and Bodies: The Power of Emotional Wellness During Cancer”

   One of my favorite pieces. This blog focuses on the mental and emotional journey of cancer — not just for the person diagnosed, but also for family and caregivers. The author (Richie) writes from the heart about how emotional resilience, forgiveness, and connection matter deeply. 

4. “Comfort Clothing: Dressing for Treatment Days and Recovery”

   Practical and compassionate, this post highlights how clothing — something often overlooked — can be a source of comfort and dignity during treatment. Richie talks about designing functional jeans (Cathy’s Jeans) with pockets for essentials that matter during medical appointments.

5. “Behind the Logo: The Significance of a Fingerprint”

   This is deeply personal and symbolic. The WCC logo is my mom’s fingerprint, and in this post reflects on how that fingerprint is more than a design, it’s a legacy. 

6. “When Life Becomes Your Greatest Teacher: Lessons from Cancer's Classroom”

   A reflective meditation on what cancer teaches us about living with intention, love, and purpose. It’s not just about surviving, but about learning to live meaningfully even in uncertainty. 

My mom’s fingerprint is the logo for World Change Coalition.  She continues leave her fingerprints on the world through our products and actions. Every time I reflect on the jouney, I feel her strength, her courage, and her love guiding me forward.

I miss you. Richie