Changing the odds: Women in rural areas still face breast cancer barriers

This month of October marks the 40th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month — four decades of pink ribbons, awareness campaigns, survivor stories and a growing sense of community around a disease that affects millions every year.

While there is so much to celebrate — especially when it comes to early detection and better treatment options — we also have to face the reality that not everyone has equal access to those life-saving advances. In rural communities, the challenges are still very real.

For me, this month is also personal. My mom was my age when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a defining time for us all.

She was strong, resilient and fortunate enough to catch it early — but not everyone is that lucky, especially in rural areas where even getting screened can be a major hurdle.

In cities and suburbs, a mammogram might be just a short drive and a quick appointment, but in rural areas access is not always that easy. The closest screening center might be 50 or even 100 miles away.

Not everyone can take time off work or find childcare just to go get a mammogram. What’s supposed to be a routine check becomes a logistical nightmare.

There’s also a shortage of health-care providers, especially specialists. Even if a woman gets screened and something suspicious shows up, follow-up appointments can take weeks — time that can make a big difference in outcomes.

But access is not the only challenge. There are also emotional and cultural barriers. In small, tight-knit communities, health issues like breast cancer are not always talked about openly.

Even in 2025, there can be fear, shame, or just a lack of information. Some women are scared to know.

Others assume they can’t afford treatment, even if something is found. And in some places, there’s still a belief that a cancer diagnosis is a death sentence.

It’s not. Not anymore. But it takes education, empathy and trust to shift those mindsets.

The good news is that change is happening. In many states, mobile mammography vans and telehealth services are bringing screenings directly to rural towns and farming communities — often for free or at low cost — helping women get checked who might not otherwise have the chance.

So, as we recognize 40 years of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s not just a time for reflection — it’s a call to action.

Awareness is no longer the biggest hurdle. Access is. We need to invest in rural health care, expand mobile services and build outreach programs that are culturally sensitive and truly local.

Breast cancer doesn’t care where you live, and it certainly doesn’t wait. Early detection saves lives.

My mom’s story is a reminder of that every day. Every woman deserves that same chance.

Let’s make sure the next 40 years are focused on action, equity and ensuring that no one — no matter what their ZIP code — is left behind.