Although mammograms cannot prevent breast cancer, a mammogram is the best primary screening tool to find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Women should ask their health care provider if and when a mammogram is right for them.

Women may not get recommended mammography screenings for many reasons. They include fear, time, concerns about cost, lack of knowledge about mammography, and limited access to healthcare services.

Use the guide to help inform women about the importance of mammography, provide information and resources, and plan Pink Ribbon events. In the guide, you will find:

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Many of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer—a friend, mother, sister, or maybe even yourself. Approximately one in eight women in the United States will get breast cancer during her lifetime. Each year, more than 40,000 women die from breast cancer.  Early detection of breast cancer can help improve a woman’s chance of survival.

No. FDA does not provide money to pay for any costs associated with your Pink Ribbon activities. FDA provides access to free copies and shipping of the guide, fact sheets, and postcards available from OWH.

You can help reduce some of these barriers by distributing reliable health information, providing emotional support, and connecting women to local resources. The Pink Ribbon Guide provides information you need to make a difference.

The guide will give you the tools and resources you need to make your event a success. Help promote mammography awareness. Start planning your Pink Ribbon event today!

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On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

You can download or order in bulk free copies of Pink Ribbon Guide: Mammography Matters and the following FDA OWH mammography materials at: www.fda.gov/womenshealthpubs.

The FDA Office of Women’s Health launched the Pink Ribbon Sunday Mammography Awareness Program in 1998 to educate women about early detection of breast cancer through mammography. Pink Ribbon Sunday originally targeted African American and Hispanic churches.

Over the years, we have expanded our program’s outreach to connect with as many women as possible. We are pleased to share our updated mammography resource, Pink Ribbon Guide: Mammography Matters (PDF, 4.40MB).