PNKBZN is a Bozeman community-wide breast cancer awareness campaign designed to increase education of breast cancer and encourage women to get their annual mammogram.
PINK BOZEMAN
WHAT IS PNKBZN?
PNKBZN, a community-wide campaign for the month of October, was the brainchild of local Bozeman organizations: Bozeman Health, Advanced Medical Imaging, Cancer Support Community Montana, Montana State University, Montana State University Athletics, and Downtown Bozeman Partnership, with graphic design support from PRIME Incorporated.
PNKBZN seeks to enhance local awareness of the importance of following screening guidelines for breast care, how to access screenings and diagnostic screenings and other resources, increase the community conversation around cancer awareness, and provide inspirational stories of men and women in our community who are living with breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 950 women in the state of Montana will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021.
As of 2018 in the greater Gallatin Valley, approximately one fourth of breast cancers were diagnosed in women under the age of 50. And, while not as common, men are diagnosed with breast cancer; approximately 2,650 men a year throughout the United States.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was designated as October in 1985 to raise awareness and gain funding for research for a cure, while elevating education around the importance of annual/early screening.
SURVIVOR Stories
“In March 2021, a fertility specialist asked all the ‘right’ questions regarding family history of cancer and suggested genetic testing, not thinking anything would come of it, I happily obliged. I was a healthy 33 year old, what do I have to lose? Then everything changed.
I learned I had the BRCA2 gene mutation, the breast cancer gene. Instead of viewing this as a hardship I chose to take it as an early detection diagnosis. In August 2021, I underwent a prophylactic (preventative) double mastectomy and implant breast reconstruction.