This resolution officially recognizes October 2025 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the seriousness of the disease, address disparities in care, and urge action for better research and access to treatment.
Earl "Buddy" Carter
Representative
GA-1
This resolution formally recognizes October 2025 as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the serious impact of the disease in the U.S. It underscores the urgent need for improved access to affordable screening, diagnosis, and treatment, alongside robust research funding. The measure also draws attention to significant disparities in outcomes based on race, ethnicity, and age. Ultimately, this declaration expresses the House's support for awareness efforts and calls for action to address the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by breast cancer.
House Resolution Declares October 2025 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Highlights Stark Racial Disparities
This resolution is short and to the point: the House of Representatives is officially supporting the recognition of October 2025 as “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” While this is a symbolic move—it doesn’t create new laws or allocate a single dollar—it’s important because it uses the platform to lay out some seriously concerning facts about breast cancer in the U.S. today.
The Data Drop: Why Awareness Still Matters
Think of this resolution as a public service announcement backed by the government, detailing the scale of the problem. We’re talking about over 319,000 new cases projected for 2025 alone, with nearly 42,000 deaths. The text points out that early detection is the game-changer: if breast cancer is caught early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%. But if it spreads (becomes metastatic), that rate drops sharply to just 32%. For the over 168,000 people living with metastatic disease, there is currently no cure, making the need for sustained research funding critical.
The Inequity Problem: Who’s Getting Left Behind?
One of the most crucial parts of this resolution is its focus on disparities. It’s not just about the disease; it’s about who gets diagnosed late and who is dying. Black women face mortality rates nearly 38% higher than White women, often because they are diagnosed when treatment options are limited and more expensive. For Hispanic women, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosis and the leading cause of cancer death. And while mortality rates have dropped nationally since 1990, the rates for American Indian and Alaska Native women have stayed flat. This resolution uses official language to put a spotlight on the fact that access and outcomes are far from equal.
The Call to Action: Aspirations vs. Legislation
The resolution closes with a clear call for policymakers to step up, urging better access to affordable healthcare—meaning screening, diagnosis, and treatment—and strong funding for research. This is the aspirational part: it’s the House saying, “We recognize the problem and we need solutions.” Since this is a resolution and not a bill, it doesn't actually mandate or fund any of these solutions. However, it sets the stage, providing the statistical ammunition needed for future legislative efforts that could actually increase funding or change insurance rules for screening and care. For busy people, this means that while the resolution itself is symbolic, the data it contains is the fuel advocates will use to push for real policy changes down the road.