By LaborPress | Kerri O’Brien
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to honor fighters and survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and double down on prevention and early detection. Across municipal and public-sector workplaces—from firehouses and bus depots to parks crews, hospitals, classrooms, and city offices—union members keep communities running. This month, let’s make sure we’re also keeping each other healthy.
Below is a practical, union-focused guide you can share at membership meetings, in newsletters, and on worksite bulletin boards. It’s split into two parts: first, what members can do right now; second, what union leaders and stewards can do to make prevention and care easier for everyone.
For Members: What You Can Do This Month
1) Know your personal risk—and your plan
Breast cancer risk varies with age, family history, genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors. The goal isn’t to memorize statistics; it’s to talk with a clinician who knows you, review your risk factors, and map out a screening plan that fits your situation. If you don’t have a primary care provider, ask your union, benefit fund, or health plan for help finding one.
Quick start checklist
- Confirm your primary care or OB-GYN is current.
- Ask, “Based on my age and risk, what screening schedule is right for me?”
- If you’ve had previous abnormal results, make a follow-up plan before you leave the office.
- Save appointments to your phone calendar and set reminders.
2) Understand screening options
For many people, screening may include mammography at regular intervals, with ultrasound or MRI used in specific cases (for example, higher risk or dense breast tissue). Your provider can explain which test is appropriate and when. Don’t try to self-diagnose; get professional guidance.
Tip: If anxiety is holding you back, tell your clinician. There are ways to make the experience easier—longer appointment slots, clearer explanations, or a friend/partner joining you for support.
3) Use the benefits you’ve earned
Most union plans include robust preventive benefits and care navigation. Many screenings are covered at low or no out-of-pocket cost. If cost or scheduling is a barrier, contact your benefit fund or plan—they can often:
- Verify coverage and pre-authorization needs
- Recommend in-network imaging centers near where you live or work
- Help with appointment scheduling and reminders
- Provide care navigation if follow-up is needed
4) Bring a buddy
Solidarity saves lives. Invite a coworker to book their screening with you, ride together, or grab coffee afterward to de-stress. If you’re a supervisor or steward, consider pairing new members with “screening buddies” so no one has to navigate it alone.
5) Watch for symptoms—then act
Most breast changes aren’t cancer, but they’re worth checking out. Report any new lumps or thickening, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, persistent pain, or changes in shape/size to a clinician promptly. Early evaluation beats late worries every time.
6) Remember: breast cancer can affect anyone
While it’s more common in women, men can develop breast cancer too, and transgender and non-binary people should follow screening guidance tailored to their current anatomy, hormone use, and medical history. If you’re unsure how recommendations apply to you, ask your clinician directly.
7) If you’re in treatment—don’t go it alone
Talk to your union about accommodations, leave options, and peer support. Ask your plan about case management, second opinions, mental-health services, and financial counseling. Let trusted coworkers know what helps—rides, meal trains, coverage swaps, or just a steady check-in.
For Union Leaders: Ten High-Impact Actions This October
Leaders set the tone. When prevention is normalized from the podium and supported in the contract, people follow through. Here’s a practical list you can start using today.
1) Lead with a message members can hear
Open the next membership meeting with a two-minute prevention message. Keep it simple:
- “If you’re due for a screening, schedule it today.”
- “If you’re nervous, tell someone—we’ll walk with you.”
- “If you hit a roadblock with coverage, call the benefit office; we’ll solve it.”
Post the same message on your website and social channels, and pin it to the top for October.
2) Make it easy to book
Coordinate with your benefit fund or health plan to publish a one-page “How to schedule”: in-network imaging centers, hours, whether a referral is needed, and a phone number for live assistance. Print it, email it, and post it in every worksite breakroom.
3) Create a Screening Day—or Week
Pick a week in October (or November if that’s more realistic) and promote it as “Union Screening Week.” Encourage members to take an hour before or after a shift to get screened. Ask supervisors to flex schedules where possible so people don’t lose pay.
4) Remove barriers with contract tools you already have
Remind members how to use sick leave, personal time, or preventive-care provisions for screenings. Share the exact steps to request time off without stigma. If your contract includes paid preventive time, spotlight it.
5) Stand up a Peer Navigator network
Recruit a handful of respected members—across worksites and shifts—to serve as Peer Navigators. They don’t give medical advice; they help with logistics: how to call the plan, where to go, what paperwork to bring, and how to ask for time off. Put their names and contact info on the bulletin board.
6) Partner with trusted providers
Invite an in-network imaging center, hospital partner, or mobile mammography program to host an info table or onsite screening day (if feasible). The best events are practical: real scheduling, real timeslots, real paperwork.
7) Communicate in multiple languages
If your membership is multilingual, provide translated scheduling instructions and prevention messages. Ask your plan and imaging partners for translated materials; most already have them.
8) Support members in treatment—with dignity
Publish a short guide that outlines leave options, FMLA/state leave, temporary light duty (if available), and who to contact for accommodations. Pair the guide with a commitment: no retaliation, no stigma, confidential handling of requests, and help coordinating benefits for dependents.
9) Track participation, not private health
You don’t need medical details to measure impact. Ask your plan for de-identified data: how many mammograms were completed this quarter, how many follow-ups were scheduled, and general trends. Use those numbers to refine outreach without compromising privacy.
10) Keep the momentum after October
Book two touchpoints now: a January reminder (new year, new checkups) and a spring “follow-through” campaign for members who postponed screening. Consistency beats one-and-done.
Sample Call to Action Message
“October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you’re due for screening, or you’re not sure—today is the day to call your provider or our plan navigator and get it on the calendar. If cost or scheduling is a barrier, see us after the meeting and we’ll help you sort it out. If you’re worried, talk to a Peer Navigator—we’ll walk with you. And if you’re in treatment or supporting a family member, we have your back with benefits, leave options, and solidarity. Nobody does this alone.”
Communicating on Social: Make It Visible, Make It Real
Members don’t always read long emails, but they will engage with short, authentic stories. Throughout October:
- Post photos of crews and shop teams who booked screenings—no medical details, just pride and encouragement.
- Share a 30-second video from a steward: “I made my appointment—have you?”
- Highlight benefit tips: “Preventive screenings are covered at low/no cost in most plans—call your navigator.”
- Remind folks that men and trans/non-binary members should talk with their clinicians about personalized screening.
- Keep the tone inviting, not shaming. We’re building a culture of care.
And of course, follow LaborPress on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for shareable posts and stories you can repost to your local’s channels all month long.
A Word on Equity and Respect
Not everyone has the same access, time, or comfort level with healthcare. Night-shift workers, caregivers, and members juggling multiple jobs often postpone preventive care the longest. Leaders can help by:
- Offering off-hours options and mobile screening days where possible
- Ensuring materials are plain-language and translated
- Protecting privacy—medical details stay with the member and their clinician
- Acknowledging the emotional side; fear is real, and community helps
If You Receive an Abnormal Result
It’s common to need additional imaging or a biopsy after a screening; most follow-ups still turn out not to be cancer. Encourage members to:
- Stick with the process—don’t delay the follow-up.
- Call the plan for navigation and financial counseling.
- Bring a buddy to appointments for note-taking and support.
- Ask about second opinions if they’re unsure; many plans can arrange this quickly.
Keep Us Posted—We’ll Amplify Your Story
LaborPress exists to lift up the best of the labor movement. If your local organizes a screening day, builds a peer navigator network, or has a member story to share (with their consent), send it our way. We’ll spotlight your efforts so other unions can learn and replicate what works.
Share stories, photos, and ideas with Kerri at [email protected].
And for ongoing updates, tools, and member spotlights throughout October, follow LaborPress on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram—then reshare to reach more members and families.
Bottom Line
Early detection saves lives, benefits make access possible, and union solidarity turns good intentions into appointments kept. Whether you’re booking your own screening, helping a coworker navigate coverage, or organizing your local’s first Screening Week, every step you take this month moves our movement—and our communities—toward better health.
