Every October, the world turns pink. Pink ribbons, pink buildings and pink profile pictures mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to remember those we have lost, celebrate those living with and beyond breast cancer, and, most importantly, help more people find it early.

September is a month that carries a double meaning. Around the world, it marks both Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, two very different cancers that share one important thing in common: they are often found late, simply because their early signs are quiet or easy to overlook.

Cancer, genes and family history

Throughout our September awareness campaign, we’ve returned to one simple idea: some cancers can run in families. If you’ve ever wondered what that really means, and why we keep encouraging people to know their family health history, this article is for you.