Need ideas for your upcoming employee newsletters? Check out our list of October key dates & events, with links to helpful resources. Be sure to remind staff about EAP availability as a free, confidential source of help!
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Breast cancer death rates have declined 44% since 1989 among U.S. women. The progress is attributed to improvements in early detection and treatments. (Source: American Cancer Society) Whether you or a loved one are worried about developing breast cancer, have just been diagnosed, are going through breast cancer treatment, or are trying to stay well after treatment, get the information and support you need.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc., 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2025, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and an additional 59,080 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer will be diagnosed. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.
When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%. Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S.. The lifetime risk of male breast cancer is about 1 in 726, according to the American Cancer Society. The typical age range for male breast cancer diagnosis is between 60 and 70, with 67 as the average age of a male breast cancer diagnosis. While breast cancer in men is rare, men do carry a higher breast cancer mortality rate than women, primarily because men are less likely to assume a lump is breast cancer and are overall less aware of breast cancer, which can cause a delay in seeking treatment.
- Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis
- Breast Cancer in Men
- Ways to get involved and support in Breast Cancer Awareness
- Breast Cancer Awareness In The Workplace
- Breast Cancer Early Detection and Diagnosis
- Breast Self-Exam
- Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance – Tools & Resources
Cyber Security Awareness Month
In In the 2025 Cyber Security Awareness Month, the theme is Building a Cyber Strong America, highlighting the need to strengthen the country’s infrastructure against cyber threats, ensuring resilience and security.Here are some communication resources:
- Cybersecurity Awareness Month Toolkit – from The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) – it includes resources and messaging for organizations to use to build their own campaigns.
- What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and Why Should You Use It?
- What You Need to Know about Digital IDs and Mobile Driver’s Licenses Cybersecurity
- Document Sharing Security Tips: How to Stay Safe with Shared Docs
- How to Tell If Your Computer Has a Virus and What to Do About It
- Hacked Accounts: What to Do Right Now
- Phishing
- Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
- Don’t Get Fooled: Protect Yourself from AI-Driven Scams
- 14 Tips to Protect Yourself from Cyber and Phone Fraud
National Bullying Prevention Month
When adults respond quickly and consistently to bullying behavior they send the message that it is not acceptable. Research shows this can stop bullying behavior over time. But bullying isn’t confined to children. Adults can be bullied, threatened, and harassed, too. Here are additional resources on bullying. Here are some resources for National Bullying Prevention Month:
- State & Federal Laws
- What Parents & Educators Can Do
- PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
- Psychology Today: Bullying
- How Bullying Manifests at Work — and How to Stop It
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Domestic Violence is also known as “family violence” or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), it affects almost 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in their lifetime. IPV encompasses physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, aggression, or emotional harm by a current or former partner, regardless of sexual orientation. In emergencies, dial 911. You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). Your EAP also offers counseling and self-help tools to help you recognize signs, create safety plans, and locate local shelters.
Other noteworthy October dates:
- National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
- Liver Cancer Awareness Month
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month
- 10/5-10/12 – Fire Prevention Week – Theme “Charge into Fire Safety”
- 10/5-10/11 – Mental Illness Awareness Week
- 10/10 – World Mental Health Day
- 10/16 – Great Shakeout – earthquake and tsunami preparedness drill
- 10-17-23 – Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week
- 10/22 – International Stuttering Awareness Day
- 10/25 – National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day – safely dispose of dangerous drugs
ESI EAP October Member Webinar (Online)
Your Elder Loved One’s Desire: Live Independently – This seminar will discuss assessing the needs of elderly loved ones including their physical, mental, environmental, financial, and legal needs, what home services are available, when to seek care outside the home, and how to talk a reluctant loved one about making a change. Learn how to evaluate facilities and how to determine if a loved one is getting proper care. To access this Webinar, and related resources, ESI EAP members can simply log in to www.theEAP.com during October.