Cancer Awareness Month Dates

By Administrator April 28, 2023

Approved by Hunter Patton-Gentert, PharmD

October is well-known as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but did you know there are dozens of “Cancer Months” that raise awareness about different forms of cancer?

It’s difficult to give a comprehensive list because there are so many cancer months recognized by cities, states, the federal government, and international governments. However, the following list includes the best-known cancer awareness months that are recognized nationally and abroad.

Why is Cancer Awareness Month Important?

Cancer Awareness Month is important for both the public and medical research organizations. Here are the main benefits:

Educates the Public: The public can be educated about a specific form of cancer—and the factors that cause it—so people can make informed health and lifestyle decisions. Cancer months also prevent cancer misinformation from being spread online.
Promotes Early Diagnosis: Cancer awareness months encourage the public to get cancer screenings, which increases the likelihood of an early diagnosis. Catching the disease in its early stages may result in more effective treatment because the cancer will not have as much time to grow and spread.
Helps Organizations Fundraise: Cancer awareness months help medical organizations fundraise for cancer research.

You can make a donation at Gateway for Cancer Research to help fund clinical trials for new treatments.

When is Cancer Awareness Month?

Every month of the year—except for December—is a Cancer Awareness Month.

The two most well-known cancer months are Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and National Cancer Research Month in May. Below you’ll find a more complete list of cancer awareness months held throughout the year.

List of Cancer Awareness Months

January

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

February

National Cancer Prevention Month
Gallbladder and Bile Duct Cancer Awareness Month
World Cancer Day (February 4, 2023)
International Childhood Cancer Day (February 15, 2023)

March

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Kidney Cancer Awareness Month
Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month

April

Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month
Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
National Minority Cancer Awareness Month
National Cancer Control Month
World Health Day (April 7, 2023)

May

National Cancer Research Month
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
Brain Cancer Awareness Month
Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month
National Neurofibromatosis Month
Oncology Nursing Month
World Ovarian Cancer Day (May 8, 2023)
Women’s Health Week (May 14-20, 2023)

June

National Cancer Survivor Month
Cancer Immunotherapy Awareness Month
World Kidney Cancer Day (June 15, 2023)
Men’s Health Week (June 12-18, 2023)
National Black Family Cancer Awareness Week (June 15-21, 2023)

July

Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month
UV Safety Month
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) Awareness Day (July 13, 2023)
Glioblastoma Awareness Day (July 19, 2023)

August

Appendix Cancer Awareness Month
World Lung Cancer Day (August 1, 2023)

September

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
Blood Cancer Awareness Month
World Cancer Research Day (September 24, 2023)
National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week (September 25-October 1, 2023)

October

Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Liver Cancer Awareness Month
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day (October 13, 2023)
National Mammography Day (October 28, 2023)

November

Carcinoid Cancer Awareness Month
Gastric Cancer Awareness Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
National Marrow Awareness Month
World Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Awareness Day (November 10, 2023)
Giving Tuesday (November 28, 2023)

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