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Every October for the past 40 years, pink ribbons have sprouted as the symbol of breast

cancer awareness month. It's a good time to take stock of the latest in breast cancer research

and the experience of patients.

Ali Rogan spoke with Dr. Arif Kamal, the American Cancer Society's chief patient officer

and a Duke University Medical School professor, and Kristen Dalgren, a former NBC news correspondent,

who's a breast cancer survivor and the founder of the Cancer Vaccine Coalition.

Thank you both so much for joining me.

Areef, I'd like to start with you.

We have as a country been commemorating breast cancer awareness month for 40 years now.

What are some of the major milestones you see that we've achieved over that time?

Yeah, 40 years is pretty remarkable as we think about it.

Started in 1985.

I would really center around the number 40, actually, for a lot of the great accomplishments.

Breast cancer mortality has reduced by over 40% over that period of time.

In addition, we've now reduced the age of which we recommend starting mammograms now down to the age of 40. In addition, we're starting to see other areas of disparities and gaps closing as well. Mammogram rates, for example, are at all-time highs across multiple communities. Now, we still got some room to grow, but a lot has happened over, you know, a couple decades of time. And to that point, are we sticking with you? Where do some of the

main challenges still remain? You know, again, I'll stick to the number 40 here for a minute. So

black women, for example, are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer when matched stage for stage

...