October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but awareness should be about more than a ribbon.

October 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, a day to recognize people living with metastatic breast cancer and increase understanding of the challenges associated with the disease.

Living with a serious illness can affect many parts of everyday life. Alongside physical health concerns, people may experience changes in routines, emotional wellbeing, relationships, work and family responsibilities.

Caregivers can also experience stress as they support someone they love.

This is why compassion matters.

A supportive community can provide understanding without reducing a person to their diagnosis. Checking in with someone, listening without judgment and respecting their individual experience can all make a difference.

It is also important to remember that breast cancer affects people from different backgrounds and that every person's experience is different. Awareness should therefore encourage understanding rather than assumptions.

Global Hands Inc. supports older adults and people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. While Global Hands is not a cancer treatment provider, its person-centered approach reflects the importance of dignity, compassion and individualized support.

If someone in your family is living with serious illness and you are also navigating broader daily support needs, appropriate professional and community resources may help.

This October, let's look beyond awareness and remember the people behind the diagnosis.