City of Hope Physicians Wear Pink Lab Coats to Highlight Rising Breast Cancer Rates

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 30, 2025--

City of Hope, one of the nation’s largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, is drawing attention to rising breast cancer rates during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and urging wider access to breast cancer screenings, more research focused on breast cancer in younger women, and earlier risk assessments for a disease that impacts 1 in 8 women in their lifetime.

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City of Hope breast cancer doctors and other health care providers, as well as patient Jennifer Rancik and her family, gathered at the Los Angeles cancer center in advance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast cancer to receive pink coats. They will wear pink coats throughout the month of October as a visible declaration of their commitment to breast cancer advances, promoting earlier breast health screenings, offering wider supportive services and engaging in research that meets the needs of the growing number of breast cancer survivors.

Breast cancer experts across City of Hope’s national system will wear pink lab coats throughout the month of October in a visible declaration of their commitment to breast cancer advances, promoting earlier breast health screenings, offering wider supportive services and engaging in research that meets the needs of the growing number of breast cancer survivors.

“This is pink with a purpose. It is a symbol of the progress we've made and the actions we're taking today to advance breast cancer research and treatment. It's about driving change, empowering individuals, and accelerating breakthroughs,” said Hope S. Rugo, M.D., division chief of City of Hope’s breast medical oncology and director of its Women’s Cancers Program. “City of Hope’s cancer specialists are sending a strong message that we are united in improving breast cancer detection and treatment for every patient and family affected by this disease.”

Driving Change

Although breast cancer mortality has fallen significantly in recent decades, rates have risen about 1% each year over the last 10 years, according to the American Cancer Society, with women under 50 seeing slightly higher increases. In response, City of Hope is focused on these targeted actions:

• Earlier risk assessments: City of Hope advocates for women to begin risk assessments, including family history and lifestyle evaluation, for breast cancer at age 25 to help women understand if they may need a mammogram earlier than the recommended age 40. More detailed risk assessments leveraging genetic testing are available at leading cancer centers like City of Hope.
• More support for the growing number of breast cancer survivors: The number of breast cancer survivors is soon expected to surpass survivors of any other cancer. City of Hope stresses the importance of fertility considerations, workforce re-entry, financial health, long-term survivorship and recurrence risk for women with breast cancer. City of Hope has a comprehensive supportive care program that provides physical, emotional, social and practical support to women during and after treatment.
• More research tailored to women: Research focused on younger patients and aggressive subtypes like triple-negative breast cancer is becoming key to addressing rising rates. Trials such as the Phase 2 I-SPY2 study, which tests individualized therapies to improve outcomes in patients with high-risk breast cancer, are leading the way.
• Access to screening and detection: Access to mammography, screening and diagnostic tools can help women catch and treat breast cancer in its early stages. City of Hope National Medical Center and City of Hope Orange County use the latest tools available to screen for and diagnose breast cancer.

A National Declaration that Pink is Powerful

City of Hope clinicians and community partners will be presented pink coats at “Pink for a Purpose” events across its locations in Southern California, Phoenix, Chicago, and Atlanta, with participants pledging to commit themselves to advancing breast cancer prevention, research and care.

“Although overall breast cancer mortality rates have dropped due to early detection and better treatments, breast cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 20 to 49,” said Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D., president of City of Hope National Medical Center. “It’s more important than ever that we think differently about helping all women understand their risk, develop the most effective treatments, and support the growing number of breast cancer survivors.”

In Los Angeles County, nearly 7,000 women are diagnosed annually with breast cancer and there are more than 2,500 new cases each year in Orange County. Black women face a 40% higher mortality rate than white women and are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive subtypes. And Asian American/Pacific Islander women are seeing breast cancer rates rise by more than 2.5% each year.

When Cancer Struck at 31

Breast cancer survivor Jennifer Rancik, 40, is one of a growing number of women diagnosed with the disease at a young age.

In 2017, Rancik, then 31, of Riverside, Calif., felt a pain in her chest; she assumed she had pulled a muscle. Her primary care doctor dismissed her desire to get a mammogram. Rancik insisted.

She was eventually diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive cancer, and later, the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which dramatically increases the risks of more breast and ovarian cancer. With her family rallying around her, Rancik received care at City of Hope, including intense chemotherapy and later a double mastectomy due to the genetic mutation.

Though Rancik had concerns about the chemotherapy’s impact on her fertility, in 2019, Rancik gave birth to her “miracle baby.” She named her Hope Ann in honor of City of Hope.

"I want to inspire," she said about younger women like her diagnosed with cancer. "You've got to take this day by day. I encourage others in the same situation as me to always have hope."

Empowering Patients to Act

As the physicians wear pink, City of Hope is also urging women and survivors to take these steps:

• Get screened. Stay current with mammograms and other screening tools based on your risk profile. Whether a patient is coming in for routine screening or diagnostic evaluation, City of Hope’s advanced imaging techniques offer the most accurate detection of breast abnormalities.
• Know your risk. Talk to a doctor about breast cancer risk assessments starting at age 25. Several respected simple risk assessment tools for breast cancer are available, including on the National Cancer Institute website. More detailed risk assessments leveraging family history and genetic testing are available at leading cancer centers like City of Hope.
• Share your story. Join the conversation about your breast cancer diagnosis using #FemaleVoicesofCancer.

Advancing Research Through Philanthropy

Philanthropic support fuels City of Hope’s breakthroughs in breast cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship—helping clinical trials move faster, supportive care expand further, and research reach patients everywhere. Support breast cancer research at CityofHope.org/GiveToEndBreastCancer.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked among the nation’s top cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

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SOURCE: City of Hope

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PUB: 09/30/2025 09:00 AM/DISC: 09/30/2025 09:02 AM

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