Breast Cancer Awareness 2025: Progress, Challenges, and Support

October 09, 2025

As we approach Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2025, significant progress has been made in survival rates and treatment options, with early-stage breast cancer now having a nearly 99% 5-year survival rate. Read more from Sun Life's Dr. Tracy Hamill on how to navigate prevention and cancer care. 

Breast Cancer Awareness 2025: Progress, Challenges, and Support

By Dr. Tracy Hamill, AVP, Medical Director, Clinical Claims, Sun Life 

October has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month since 1985. As we approach 2025, it's crucial to understand the current state of breast cancer and the resources available to those affected.

The Ongoing Challenge

Breast cancer has not gone away and remains a significant health concern:

  • 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime 1
  • Over 300,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2025 1
  • Breast cancer is still the most common cancer type in women globally 2
  • “Every minute, four women worldwide are diagnosed with breast cancer, and one woman dies from the disease, and the statistics are worsening.” – World Health Organization 2

Progress and Improvements

However, there have been notable improvements in breast cancer outcomes:

  • Early-stage breast cancer now has a nearly 99% 5-year survival rate 3
  • The 5-year survival rate for carcinoma in situ is 100% 3
  • Breast cancer death rates have steadily decreased since 1989, with an overall decline of 44% 4
  • There are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States 4

Navigating Cancer Care

As medical options improve, it's important to be aware that these screenings and treatments have potential non-cancer related outcomes.

In this world of improving survival rates, due in part to early detection and better, more personalized treatment plans, we all need help navigating the cancer care process. Yes, women should follow the recommended guidelines and discuss annual to biennial mammograms with their doctors.

But what happens when that screening test is abnormal? What do you do next?

My advice is: Don't panic. It’s important to know that the vast majority of mammogram abnormalities that require "additional images," including more mammogram views or ultrasound, are normal. Best case scenario is they call you back in, and after additional squishing and imaging, the radiologist will inform you that everything is fine and you can return for your next annual screening.

But what if they say you need more tests, a biopsy, or surgical removal? What then?

Then it’s time to activate the support services that may be available to you through you or your partner’s benefits package.

Sun Life's Support Services

At Sun Life, we offer access to specialized programs and services to help ease some of the burdens that come with a cancer diagnosis. Through our partnerships, our members have access to:

  • Health Navigator
    • Provides access to second opinions on diagnosis and treatment and offers a single point of contact to help understand complex health information
  • Virtual behavioral health and coaching
    • Members who are receiving Short-Term Disability or Critical Illness benefits for cancer, have access to weekly virtual counseling sessions, and digital wellness resources and tools designed to address stress, anxiety and/or depression.

Facing a cancer diagnosis is life-changing, and no one should go through it alone.

In our complex world, reaching out for help is crucial. Providing these services to assist people with staying at work or getting back to work stays true to Sun Life’s commitment to making health and benefits easier.

While a cure for breast cancer remains elusive, significant progress has been made in survival rates and treatment options. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, remember that resources are available to help navigate the journey, offering support and guidance every step of the way.

 

1.       https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts/

2.       https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/pr361_E.pdf

3.       National Breast Cancer - https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-facts/

4.       American Cancer Society

 

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In all states except New York, group insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, MA). In New York, group insurance policies are underwritten by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, MI).